I promised another chapter, didn't I? My show is over and done with, so expect more updates. I don't have exactly a clear ending for this story, but I'm formulating ideas. I'll probably ask for some help too. I just refuse to abandon this story! Cracking Aria isn't going to be that easy.
The only story I'm having a lot of trouble with is "A Little Romance" due to my Lucian heart being shattered every five seconds. But they start shooting today, so hopefully that sparks something.
You all are also amazing with reviews!
I OWN NOTHING.
"She needs him, Byron." Ella stood at the head of their dining room table where the man was seething over his paperwork. The husband and wife glared across from each other during the late hours of the night. "Whether we like this situation or not, she needs Ezra more than we probably think. And I'm not about to take him away from her."
"You're insane, Ella," Byron said, slamming the ballpoint BIC pen down on the mahogany. "This man took advantage of our daughter, and you're ready to let him 'fix' her? For all we know, he's using this as an excuse to take her back to his apartment and have his wa—"
"Don't. Don't even go there. If you saw the way he practically ran to her when I brought him upstairs, you'd think otherwise. If you had seen the actual light in Aria's eyes; something we haven't seen for days, you'd understand."
"And you think you understand the entirety of their relationship by one moment? There could be several other doors we haven't opened that house secrets of theirs. This could be an act on both their parts."
"The fact that you'd undermine your own child horrifies me." Ella took a deep breath, tears burning in the corner of his eyes. Part of her wondered how he would feel if Meredith's family found out about their fling, but then again, Aria and Ezra didn't seem to be some causal relationship. "He looks at her the same way you used to look at me. Of course, you wouldn't know what it feels like to love deeply anymore, do you?
I want you to accept this, Byron. And you will one way or another. I'm tired of being you chess piece and lackey. It's time I stop letting you further ruin Aria's life by doing what you think is right. Ezra's going to be around a lot more than he ever was. He might even spend the night, like he did the last. He loves our daughter more than I think I've seen anyone love someone, even in films. And you're not going to do anything to tear them apart again."
With wide eyes, Byron looked up at his wife. Clear determination burned in her eyes. She meant everything has said. It took him a moment to regain his composure, eyes blinking furiously. His fingers picked up his pen once more, writing so hard that it could've left a mark in the deep reddish brown wood.
"Don't dent the wood," Ella said, leaving the room. Her feet took her up to Aria's room where the small girl was curled up in blankets and Ezra was sitting in the arm chair he'd moved closer to her bed. A pair of glasses rested on the bridge of his nose; Ella hadn't any idea he wore glasses. Then again, she didn't really know Ezra for who he was. But Aria did.
A million different options on what to do with the lovers ran through her mind. Aria's eyes were closed and she seemed to be sleeping peacefully. Ezra's hand in her limp one didn't go unnoticed; her mother assumed the small form of contact was the reason she was sleeping so soundly. Ezra's thumb seemed to run across Aria's knuckles subconsciously, maybe even naturally. A yawn escaped his lips as he closed to novel and reached to take of his glasses. That was when he spotted Ella, who had just made a decision that could affect not just her daughter's life, but many others.
"Mrs. Montgomery," he said surprised. Ezra stood from the leather chair and brushed off his tattered jeans and tee-shirt, wanting to look as presentable as possible. Tear stains were on his cheeks; he'd shed a few when Aria began to scream from another nightmare. The only thing Ezra wanted most at this point was to help her feel safe again. "I—I can leave if you want me to. I really didn't realize the time."
"No, it's alright, Ezra," Ella spoke calmly, shifting her hands and twiddling with her fingers. "I…I just wanted to say thank you for always being there for Aria. Not just now, but also for all the other times that I didn't know about. You really love her, don't you?"
"I do," Ezra replied earnestly. "What I have with her is the realest thing in my life. Though I'm a bit spiteful that you and your husband tried to take that away from me, and I her, I can't help but be grateful that you're seeing the truth, and not Byron's speculations."
"About my husband," Ella said. Ezra turned around to Aria for a moment, who seemed to be stirring. She hadn't roused herself awake, only simply curled more towards Ezra's standing body.
"He's not exactly the happiest person at the moment. In fact, we just had an argument downstairs and I…I can't believe some of the things he said." Her voice broke off for a moment, but Ella recovered; she'd always been a strong woman. "And I don't think it's safe for you or Aria to be in the house at the moment. I want her to be protected and you clearly do that. But with him ready to explode and possibly go on a massacre, I want her away. W—which is why I'm asking you to let Aria stay with you for a bit; only until things calm down and I get Byron to see the light."
Ezra was practically gaping at the older woman. Not even a month ago, she had wanted him completely erased from Aria's life. Now, she wanted her to live with him. He couldn't argue though; Ezra would gladly whisk Aria away into shelter in minutes.
"If that's what you want," he said cautiously. "I'd be more than happy to take her home. I think I'd have a better chance of cracking her open there."
"I trust you now, Ezra. I think that if she's with you, there's a chance we could get our Aria back."
"I'll start packing her things. And Ella," Ezra added with a smile of pure gratitude. "Thank you for everything."
Aria began to wake up around two 'o' clock that morning with whimpers escaping her throat. Ezra and Ella had just about packed up majority of those clothes in her dresser and closet. Books would come next. Both had a feeling that Aria would be staying with Ezra longer than a week, maybe even more than a year. Knowing Aria, she'd protest leaving.
"Ezra," she said softly. This was how it always started. She progressed from whispers to screams and could in the matter of minutes. His hands dropped the clothes that he was folding and walked over to her bedside.
"Aria," Ezra said, scooting onto the edge of the mattress. His hands carefully lifted her hand into his lap while his fingers smoothed the hair around her face. "I'm right here."
"Ezra," Aria cried this time, her chest beginning to heave.
"Aria," he spoke, louder this time as if his volume would be a way to reach her. Most times it was. "Aria, focus on my voice. I'm right here beside you. There's nothing to worry about. Just breathe." Ezra's blue eyes trained Aria's face for any sign of relief. Her then furrowed brow seemed to relax and her lip stopped trembling.
Immediately, Aria's eyes flew open. She searched the room frantically. She spotted Ella, packing what looked to be her clothing into cardboard boxes, thus confusing her even more than already. "Mom," Aria spoke shakily. "Where's Ezra? Did…did Dad kick him out?"
"Look up, silly girl," Ezra said, running a thumb over her jawline. "I'm right here. I told you I was and I always will be."
Ella bit her lip, trying not to feel awkward in the presence of young lovers. She decided to brainstorm ways on how to get Byron to see differently while her hands worked nimbly at folding clothes. Ella and Ezra would explain the boxes tomorrow when they moved Aria out while Byron was at work. It would be better and safer that way; he wouldn't be able to rip the boxes open and cause more havoc in what was already a mess.
"Ezra," Aria breathed, throwing her arms around his torso. Tears began to drip down her face as he lifted her up to a sitting position and held her in his lap. "He hurt you," she stuttered in hiccups. "He took a knife from the kitchen and drilled it into your heart. And then you were gone in a puddle of blood."
Ezra's eyes widened as he look to her mother. Getting Aria out would definitely be the best option at this point. She was evidently afraid of what Byron could do to him, although rationally, he would never stoop to murder.
"Aria, he's not going to hurt me or you. You're father doesn't have the power over us, especially after tomorrow."
"What's tomorrow?" Her sentences had grown to being only a few syllables at a time; nothing else but a series of short questions and simple answers. Aria herself wished she could say more, but she didn't know what to say about anything anymore. The only things in her mind were the catastrophic events and potentially losing Ezra.
"Tomorrow," Ella interjected, giving Ezra clearance at having to explain what the product of her own thinking process was. "Is when you're going to move in with Ezra. Your dad is prone to exploding at any moment and I don't want you and Ezra here. I want you safe, Aria. Ezra will keep you safe, but do his job better in the safety of his own home. There isn't the threat there like there is here."
"Mom," Aria said, tears streaming down her face. But, for the first time, they were happy. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you so much."
"You're always going to be my little girl, regardless of the situation you've gotten yourself into or the people you love. I want what's best for you. Clearly, Ezra is, but staying with him here isn't. We needed to find a happy medium."
Ezra's thumb wiped away the tears on Aria's cheeks. "Don't cry, Love. We're going to be alright, okay? After tomorrow, we're going to be perfectly safe. I found a job writing as a columnist and I can do it from home on my own laptop. We're going to be just fine." He hugged her tightly against him, smoothing out the matted hair at the back of her head. With slight rocking motion, Aria's breathing slowed from short, staggered intakes of air to even breaths.
"We're going to be okay," she repeated, not knowing what else to say. "Do you promise?" Her face peered up from Ezra's chest, hazel eyes still watery.
"With everything I have in me," Ezra replied, kissing her forehead.
With the last of her clothes packed away, Ella took this as her time to leave the room. She didn't want to intrude on their tender moments anymore. "I'm going to sleep," she announced. Aria's eyes had already closed against Ezra, her head tucked into the crook of his neck. Ella smiled as Ezra ran his fingers through Aria's hair. "First thing tomorrow morning once Byron's left, we'll move everything."
"I can't thank you enough, Ella," Ezra said, ready to delve into a speech.
"It's the least I can do," she interjected, once more looking at Aria's sleeping form which was comfortably curled into Ezra. "You protected her all the times I couldn't."
"I'll continue to protect her. I promise both you and Aria that."
"I'll hold you to it," Ella finished, leaving the room with the slight traces of a smile on her face.