Chapter 3:

Previously:

"I can't remember the accident. All I remember is that Spencer and I were driving up to her lake house and then everything's blank until I arrived here. How did I get here, anyway?" Aria asked.

"Honey, Ezra saved your life."

Continued:

"He did?" Aria asked, surprised.

"Yeah, he was driving and he saw Spencer's car swerve out of control from the ice. The car flipped over and he called an ambulance and helped you out of the car. He was in the ambulance with you and he's been sitting here ever since he arrived. He's the one that called us and the Hastings'." Byron replied gently.

Aria looked at them, surprised. "He never told me that." she said softly.

Ella shrugged. "He probably thought you knew. Or maybe he just didn't want you to know so that you wouldn't act differently around him. Whatever it is, he really loves you. I can't ask for a better man for my daughter" she said, smiling.

"Me either. I know Ezra and I have had our differences, but someone who cares this much about you deserves to be with you." Byron said.

Aria looked surprised. "Really?"

Byron and Ella nodded.

"Thank you guys so much! If I could, I would hug you right now!" Aria said, smiling.

"That reminds me." Ella said. "The doctor said you need plently of rest, so we're going to leave now, but we'll be back. Get some sleep, okay sweetie."

Aria nodded and hesitated. "Do you think you could send Ezra back for a few minutes? I promise I'll go to sleep right after."

Ella looked at Byron, who hesitated for a moment before shrugging. "Okay. But only a few minutes, you need to rest."

"Thanks!" Aria said happily as her parents left and Ezra re-entered.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" he asked, sitting on the edge of her bed.

"There's something I wanted to say to you first." Aria replied, taking his hand.

Ezra looked at her curiously. "And what might that be?"

"Thank you for saving my life." Aria said, looking into his eyes.

Ezra smiled uncomfortably. "How did you know?"

"My mom told me. Why didn't you tell me?" Aria asked.

Ezra sighed. "I didn't want you to feel like you owed me anything. I love you and I don't want you to think of me as the man who saved your life, I just want things to be the same between us, the way they've always been."

"But Ezra, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be here right now. You're nothing less of a hero!" Aria said.

"See? That's not what I want. The way you're looking at me. You're looking at me as if I'm someone you worship, rather than your equal. I just want to be Ezra, the same Ezra I've been to you for the past year." he said, lightly touching her cheek.

Aria nodded. "You still are the same Ezra to me. The way that I'm looking at you isn't like I worship you, it's admiration." she explained. "I admire your courage and it shows me that no matter what happens, I'll always have you with me." Aria said, looking into his deep blue eyes.

"Don't ever think otherwise. I'm forever yours and I'll always be there for you no matter what." Ezra said, leaning down to kiss her softly.

"I love you so much." Aria said when they broke apart.

"I love you too." Ezra said, caressing her long, brown hair. "Get some sleep." he said before placing one last kiss on her lips.

As he turned to leave, Aria grabbed his arm. "Wait. Stay with me. Please?"

Ezra hesitated. "Aria..."

"I'll sleep, I promise. I just need to know that you're right here when I do." Aria said, her eyes pleading.

Ezra sighed in defeat. "I can never say no to you." he said, sitting back down.

Aria smiled. "Thank you."

"Anything for you." Ezra murmured, stroking her hair.

Aria smiled as he squeezed her good hand and closed her eyes. She was asleep in minutes.

Ezra watched her as she slept peacefully, listening to her snoring softly. Even with uncombed hair, a hospital gown and a large bandage on her forehead, Aria still managed to take his breath away. She was beautiful to him, no matter how she looked.

After a while, a nurse came and told him visiting hours were over. Reluctantly, Ezra released Aria's hand and got up. He sat in the waiting room, where Veronica and Peter Hastings were still sitting. Ella and Byron had gone home to get some sleep and would be returning in a few hours. Hanna and Emily arrived a short while later, bringing coffee for the three of them, which they all took, gratefully.

"How are they?" Emily asked.

"Aria's doing well. She's sleeping right now, but she has a broken arm and some head trauma. The doctor said she can leave by the end of the week. We haven't heard anything about Spencer yet." Ezra replied.

Just then, a doctor whose nametag read Dr. Walker walked into the waiting room. "Spencer Hastings." he called.

Veronica and Peter jumped to their feet, Hanna, Emily and Ezra following behind.

"How is my baby?" Veronica asked.

"Her condition is very severe but..." The doctor started.

"But?" Veronica prompted.

The doctor hesitated. "But...she has some severe injuries to her head as well as a broken leg and a broken rib. We think she may need surgery."

Mrs. Hastings gasped. "Oh, my poor baby." she cried.

"Her legs and ribs will heal over time, but she's going to need brain surgery. We're going to be running some tests to see if it's safe to conduct the surgery, which will take at least a week." The doctor explained, calmly.

Peter nodded, trying to hold himself together as his wife started crying into his chest. "W-What are the chances?"

Dr. Walker hesitated."There an 70% chance that she'll make it through the surgery. We have doctors who have performed this surgery before but it's very complex and delicate."

Everyone was silent at that, probably all thinking the same thing. What if Spencer was part of the 30%.

Sorry to leave you all on a sad note. Please review :)