Sorry for the late update but I had a problem with my Internet connection. But I think I will post the next chapter this Saturday anyway. As always, thanks to my beta Marcia794. You're the Spencer to my Aria.

Chapter 5 - Mommy's Girl

Aria's POV

"This is a good sign, having a broken heart. It means we have tried for something." - Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

My phone's ringing woke me up and I threw my hand over my eyes so as to protect them from the sunlight that was coming through the window. I was laying nearly over the bed's edge because apparently Spencer needed extra space for her sleep. I managed to open my eyes, that still felt sore from all the crying, and noticed that everyone in the room was sleeping; me and Spencer on her bed, Emily and Hanna on a handmade one on the floor out of pillows and blankets. We didn't want to be separated yesterday, even though they didn't know the reason I felt so uncomfortable. Because even if I wasn't entirely convinced that Ezra was A, I was sure that he wasn't totally innocent.

I decided to ignore my phone because I felt too tired to check who the message was from and I had just closed my eyes, when my phone beeped again. Ugh. I swear to God, if that was Ezra I would scream. I dragged my body from the bed's coziness and warmth to grab my phone that was somewhere on the floor. I managed to find it among the scattered pillows after I stabbed my toe on the bed stand and almost stepped on Em's foot.

Two new messages.

The last one was from my Dad, informing me that he and Mike would spend the whole day at the lake house and asking me if I wanted to join them for lunch. Yeah, no way. I just typed him that I would stay at Spencer's and wished them a good day. The previous one was from an unknown number.

'Aria baby, I hope you didn't forget your skype session with mommy. I'm already online. Miss you xx'

Damn. Mommy. Skype session. I had promised her three days ago that we would talk on skype because we really missed each other and she wanted to tell me about her new experiences in Europe. But with my life being a total mess the last days, I had totally forgotten about it. I approached Spencer and nudged her arm, but she was lying there like a dead person.

"Spence." I put more force now but she didn't move. "Spence!" My voice got a little louder and she finally opened her eyes.

"Can I borrow your laptop?" I whispered. She blinked twice and even in her sleep she looked at me incredulously.

"What the hell, Aria? Do whatever you want, just let me sleep." She tugged the blankets over her head and made herself more comfortable on the huge bed. I chuckled and quietly left the room, closing the door behind me.

The house was peaceful, Spencer's parents were at their lake house (what was going on with our lake houses?) and we were still alone. I sat on the couch and switched on her laptop that was staying on he small table. I had to wait for a few moments until it came to life and then I logged into my skype account.

New Contact Request: Hot Mama.

Okay, I had to laugh at this. She wasn't exactly mad at me for being her matchmaker via Internet, but I didn't expect her to love her username either. I accepted her and she was indeed online as she had mentioned in her text. She even had a photo as her icon; one of her and Zack. I couldn't decide if this made me happy or sad, I was the one who pushed her do that trip anyway. And she seemed happy, so happy after all this time and all those problems me and Dad and Mike had caused her. She was always there for us and we had hurt her, but now she was making a new start with someone who seemed to be so in love with her. But did that mean she would forget about us? Stay in Europe and be happy with him, maybe have one baby or two.. Still, I should be happy for her, whatever her choices are from now on.

She must have noticed that I was online because I instantly got an incoming call. I quickly answered it and stood in front of the tiny camera, really excited to see her. Her beautiful face appeared on the screen and her small smile grew bigger when she saw my face, it appears.

"Aria, baby!" She was so excited and her eyes were shining, it made me forget everything dark and focus on this bright side of my life.

"Hey, Hot Mama!" I started giggling and she blushed. "I can't believe we're actually doing this."

"But why, I needed to see my babygirl. Zack helped me install this thing on the laptop and here I am!"

"Did he also approve of your username?" I stiffled a giggle once more.

"Oh, stop it! Are you still at Spencer's?" She was acting so awkward and adorable, and all off a sudden I longed for her. They had left only a few days ago but I missed my mom. I know that our relationship hadn't been the best this past year, but we managed to overcome our conflicts. We both wanted each other to be happy with everything that would bring.

"Yeah, we had a sleepover with the girls." Memories, memories I wanted to avoid tried to haunt me but I needed this time with her to be calm, so I kept my mind away. "Dad and Mike told me to join them at the cabin, they seem to be having a good time." That crazy-about-my-family smile appeared on her lips again, although she was still hurt over our family being broken up like this. It was obvious and it was normal, we all missed it. But we had to embrace this new situation we found ourselves in and go on.

"I know, Mike texted me yesterday. I'm happy they are enjoying this."

"Tell me about you, Mom! How's Austria?"

"Oh, everything is great here, Aria! We found this small cute apartment in a calm neighborhood, everyone is so friendly." She seemed radiant and I had that bittersweet feeling again. But no, I couldn't act selfishly now, she deserved this, she deserved happiness.

"I'm so happy for you, Mom," and I really meant it. She gave me a big smile and all of a sudden Zack appeared in the screen.

"Hey, Aria!"

"Zack! Thanks for connecting Ella with technology!" They both laughed at this and he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her hair.

"No problem. Is everything okay at home?"

"Yeah, pretty good. Although I'm a little jealous of you guys." I frowned in mock sadness and they laughed again. I decided at that moment that I ship them.

"You can always visit us," Zack winked at me. "I'm gonna leave you now have your girl talk. Bye, beautiful." He gave me a smile and before he disappeared I waved at him. My mom followed him with her eyes before I heard a door closing. Then she turned her attention back at her laptop screen.

"So, tell me now," she began, folding her hands under her chin in a suspicious gesture, like she was ready to share a secret. "What did you do yesterday night?" Oh, great. There goes my good mood. I averted my eyes from the camera and tried to suppress a sob.

"Aria? What's wrong?" I looked up at my mom's worried eyes and I felt like a little girl again, I needed to be buried into her arms and cry my problems out.

"Ezra.." I said through sniffs and she gave a small nod as if she knew this would be about him. "It's complicated, Mom." She was looking at me sympathetically, she had fully accepted this relationship and she supported me. Even though she wasn't happy that her little girl was sleeping at her former colleague's apartment.

"You don't have to tell me what happened, sweetheart. But you and Ezra have been through so much stuff together, I'm sure whatever it is you will be able to overcome it." I was supposed to have broken up with him but she didn't even question me. She found it normal that I was till occupying myself with him.

"I don't know," I shook my head. "He's lied to me, Mom."

"Everyone has their reasons for whatever they do. You can't judge him without knowing his reasons. Did you talk with him?"

"Not really," I mumbled. Had I been wrong last night after all, when I didn't give him a chance to explain himself?

"In that case, you had better end this call with me now and go find him. I wouldn't support this, Aria, if I didn't know how much he loves you. Not everyone would do the things he did for you." Her eyes glinted and my heart clenched; my Mom believed in our love and this gave me strength to fight for this love even now, in the midst of this mess. I gave her a small smile. "I have to go anyway, Zack and I will have dinner soon with a couple that lives next door. Meeting the neighbours." She giggled.

"Okay, have fun. Mom," I hesitated, "I miss you."

"I miss you, too. We will talk soon, okay?" I nodded. "Oh, and Aria? Fight for what matters for you, when it still matters." I caught the double meaning in that; I should fight for Ezra because he still matters, he will always matter. But her? She thought that Dad didn't matter anymore, that's why she was in Europe now. I don't know if she or he fought enough for their marriage, nor can I judge them. I just wish my family was still united.

"Bye, Mom." I waved at her, with less enthusiasm now because since Zack left the room our conversation had turned less happy and exciting. But it felt really good to see her, even for just a few minutes and even through a screen. She blew me a kiss before I ended the call and I was now alone in the silent living room. Only for a few moments, until I heard steps on the stairs and looking up I saw Hanna approaching me in her pink dotted pajamas, beautiful even though she had just woken up.

"Morning." She said and crashed on the couch next to me.

"Did you sleep well?" I rested my head on the back of the couch and let out a deep breath. The day had just begun but I already felt exhausted.

"If sleeping well means constanlty being kicked by Em and hearing Sparia snoring, then yes."

"Hey, I don't snore!" I turned my face to look at her and after a moment of silence we both burst into giggles.

"You know, I was thinking, we should do something today. Just us. Spend some time away from A or even our boyfriends," she paused but then thought better of what she had said, "and girlfriends." She looked at me and grinned.

"Yeah, I think we need this." I smiled back but kept my next thought to myself. I don't know if in my case I should consider A and my boyfriend two different people. "Han?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think that Ezra would do anything to hurt me?" I needed comfort at this moment and even if Hanna seemed to not really care about A, in the way that she usually let us -Spencer basically- handle things and look into things, I had the feeling that she was the one who would solve this mystery.

"Is there a reason you're asking me this?"

"No, not really." I shook my head and turned my gaze anywhere but at her face.

"No, he wouldn't. At least not by his own will." She emphasized her last words and when I finally looked at her she had a meaningful look in her eyes. See? Hanna was smart, and my question had given away more than I intended to. She opened her arms and I hugged her, leaning into my best friend's embrace once again. Then she kissed my hair and said, "Just make sure you make the right choice for you."

And I really wish I knew what the right choice was. Not just for me, but for him, for us. Because no matter how hard I tried to hate him, or be angry at him, I couldn't. I would always love him, no matter what he did.

Thanks to obsessedwithezria, nininha200, Jdurst99, mitsaki, merliahsummers, ezrialove, Lala-Pll-Time, hadassa, ezriaS2 and the guests. I wish most of my viewers left me a review; I adore those things. Also, thanks to you guys who have added my story to your favourites or follow it. It means a lot.

To melina: the girls don't know yet that Ezra is in the A-team! It was something Aria discovered, so now they're just supporting her after her 'fight' with him. Thanks for your kind words, though :)

Sorry for the Ezria absence, but Aria needs sometime for herself to think this through. Next chapter will be some girls' fun and then I have a surprise for you. I could use some suggestions, too. PLEASE REVIEW!

I've also posted a one-shot, We'll Be Together Soon. Take a look!

Love, A