Hi everyone! Sorry for the slow update, but I was stuck on where to go with the story and this week was extremely busy! You'll all love this chapter, I hope! Also, have you all taken a look at "What If"? Big, well more like HUGE shout out to the fantastic isburke for her help with the chapter! And big shout out to be my readers and reviewers!
10 days until PLL 3
Disclaimer: I don't own PLL
Read, Enjoy, and Review (!)
Aria POV:
Its sometimes better to be isolated, rather than surrounded by the constant racing and rushing of others. One has the ability to piece themselves back together instead of being wrapped up in the hum of chatter created by loved ones or the buzz of the television fading into the background of an apartment.
I spent my first 2 days in Philly completely isolated. Number 1 entailed me sprawled out on my hotel bed, crying my eyes out. Number 2 involved dragging myself out onto the pavement of the city's streets. I had begun to get my feelings in check, after fully mulling over the events of the night two days before. My 3rd day was once again spent on the streets of Philly. I felt as though I was on my way to making a recovery, and instead of wandering aimlessly, I stopped in the odd boutique or coffee shop. At one point, I found myself in a children's store, looking for items for the new baby, when a gorgeously made mermaid jewelry box caught my eye.
It was teal, with a detailed painting of a brown haired mermaid on top. There were small gemstones encrusted around the bottom. Only one phrase called out to me; Clara.
So, I picked up the box and brought it to the cash register. I subconsciously whipped out my credit card, not even paying attention to the pricing of the insanely beautiful box.
My 4th day was Ezra's birthday, which was pure hell. I was once again reduced to tears, and spent the day curled up in my room, ordering room service and charging my credit card with old movies from On Demand. Every so often, my hands would float down to the little bump beginning to form on my stomach, and whispered lightly, "Say Happy Birthday to Daddy."
It took all the strength I could muster to not return the calls or reply the ignored text messages Ezra sent me. It hurt to look at messages that read, "Aria, my love, please come home," and even the mere sound of his voice drove me crazy. But I needed to remain strong. I was an independent young woman. My thoughts started to take another turn though. I was being incredibly selfish. I had a job, and friends waiting back in New York. Most importantly, I had a daughter, no matter how much she wanted to dispute the fact, and a fiance waiting as well. Not to mention I was pregnant, and my baby had started to become one of the most valuable things in my life. I couldn't hold it out any longer. It was time to go home.
I whipped out my laptop, and booked the next flight back to JFK, which was at 10 tomorrow morning. With a satisfied feeling, I began packing up my bags, and drifted off to sleep later, forming a plan to surprise Clara.
Ezra POV:
My flight left this morning around 7 a.m. I was too exhilarated to sleep, drinking cups of coffee by the minute. The only downside to that was on the plan ride, I completely passed out as the caffeine left my system. It didn't hurt though, as it gave me extra energy to run to Aria and wrap her up in my arms when I saw her again. I was never a man to go chasing after a woman, but Aria was worth it. She was my soulmate and the mother of my child. I wasn't angry with her that she hadn't told me she was pregnant; she had her reasons, but part of me wondered why she didn't.
My flight landed around 9:40, and I practically ran to the luggage carousel to get my bags. I'm sure to the outsider, I looked like a deranged man. Grabbing my bags, I rushed towards the security gate, so I could get out of the airport and to the hotel that Aria was staying at.
Then the inevitable happened. As I was waiting to go through the security monitors, Aria had just passed through going the opposite direction. Adrenaline began to sure through my veins, and I began to turn around and run.
"Aria," I repeatedly shouted, but she never turned around. She was considerably a good deal ahead of me anyway. I called her phone, and even saw her stop to look at the screen, but she kept walking as my phone call was denied. I stood there, dead in my tracks, and watched until she disappeared through the gate indicated a 10 a.m. flight back to JFK airport.
She was planning on coming home anyway. I bolted to the nearest stand booking flight.
"Hi, I'd like a ticket for a coach seat on the 10 a.m. to JFK." I ran a hand through my hair.
"I'm sorry, but that flight is all booked up. No seats left." The woman at the desk looked at me, with her little blunt bobbed hair and extremely red lips. She had that expression of a so-called perfect flight attendant.
"Is there anything else close to that time and goes to JFK? I need to be on a flight, and fast. My...my wife's having a baby, and I was on business. I need to get home."
"Oh, your poor dear! Let me see," she said, beginning to browse through her computer. "Ah ha! Here's a flight for 10:10! The last ticket, would you like it?"
"Yes please," I grabbed my credit card, and as she swipped it through, a feeling of satisfaction washed over me.
Aria POV:
The inflight movie was "Life As We Know It"; a movie I had seen countless times because of Hanna. It wasn't all that bad though, but after you're 5th time, it gets repetitive.
Ezra called me in the airport. Right as I was approaching my gate. It felt as if fate was telling me I was making the right choice. I didn't answer though, because I wanted it to be a surprise when I got back to the townhouse. I pressed ignore, and continued walking although I swore I heard his voice calling my name. And it sounded so real, not just a memory or a dream.
It didn't matter though. It was 1 in the afternoon, and I was standing in the middle of the front hall of the townhouse, my bags dropped on the floor. Clara would still be in school, but Ezra would've been home, wouldn't he?
"Hello," I called, but there wasn't any response. I looked through every room, including the washing room and the bathrooms, but there wasn't a trace of anyone. Bringing my things upstairs, I settled onto Ezra and my bed, and took out my phone to call Hanna.
"Han? Where's Ezra?"
"He went off to find you in Philly. Shouldn't you be with him right now," she asked, confused.
"He went to Philly," I asked, breathlessly. Ezra had done the impossible; he tried to fight for me.
"Yeah! Wait, why aren't you there?"
"Because I decided to come home. I'm in the townhouse right now and no one's home. Is Clara okay?"
"She's fine. Ezra's parents have been taking her to school, and Gillian asked me to pick her up today, actually," said Hanna.
"Do me a favor," I asked. "Don't. I want to as a surprise."
"Aria? Are you sure. I mean...what happened o-."
"Han, I'm sure. I'm so glad to be back. Gotta go! Love you," I said, hanging up the phone. I took the next hour to place clothes back in the closet, hang up pictures I had taken down, and put books back into the bookshelf. I left the house around 2, ready to go meet my daughter.
I could see Clara walk out of the school building, glumly. Marie was standing next her, chattering about something, and Clara was trying to pay attention, but failed to. There was something else on her mind. I saw her give Marie a little wave as the little redhead ran to her mother. I came closer to where Clara was standing, looking around like a lost puppy.
"Auntie Hanna," I heard her call out, and turn around to look for Hanna's head of blonde.
"Clara! Auntie Hanna's not coming to pick you up," I said. Clara turned at the sound of her name, and her blue eyes completely lit up and began to have life again. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she ran to my outstreched arms.
"Mommy," she said, sniffling into my shoulder, "You came back."
"I know, Pumpkin," I said using my nickname for her, "And I'm not going anywhere ever again. I love you and Daddy too much to ever go anywhere again," I said tearing up as well. "Come on, lets go home and we can talk."
"Mommy, I know that you're not my real Mommy, but I want you to be," said Clara, who was curled up on my lap as I sat on the couch.
"That's what our lawyer is doing. We're working out paperwork so that I can be your official Mommy," I said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Now Clara, just because I'm not your Mommy, doesn't mean I love you any less. You, pumpkin, are my world. I love you so much. That's why I did what I did. I didn't want you to be unhappy.
"You're my baby girl," I said, "No matter the circumstance, and you always will be."
"I'm sorry Mommy for saying those things. I was just upset. But when you were gone, I was miserable. I couldn't smile and I couldn't laugh. Please don't ever leave again. Why did you leave anyway," Clara asked, looking at me with a nostalgic, but curious expression.
"I left because..." How do you explain this to a 5 year old? "I left because I was very upset. I was afriad that you and Daddy would hate me, so I took a break and went home to Rosewood for a bit. I missed you too much though," I said, holding her tighter.
"Do you think we should call Daddy," Clara asked.
"I think thats a great idea. Here," I said handing her the home phone. "Go ahead!" She quickly pressed the keys for Ezra's number and lifted the phone up to her ear.
"Hi , Daddy? I'm home! Guess who's with me!"
"Mommy?" I heard a voice which sounded like it was coming from the hall.
"Yeah," said a perplexed Clara. "How did you know?"
"Because," said Ezra who was now standing in the entrance of the living room. "I'm home too."
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love always,
.soprano.