Chapter 20:

Ezra woke up on Monday morning to find curled up against him, snoring softly. He smiled and leaned closer to her, kissing her shoulder, slowly making his way up her neck.

"Mmmm." Aria smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Good morning."

Ezra pecked her lips. "Morning, beautiful." he said, smiling down at her.

Ezra brought his face down to hers, their lips connecting. Aria's fingers were knotted in Ezra's hair and his arms were around her waist, their bodies pressed together.

"Someone's in a good mood this morning." Aria commented when they broke apart.

"We're celebrating today." Ezra replied.

Aria looked up at him, confused. "What are we celebrating?"

"Do you know what the date is today?" Ezra asked.

Aria shook her head. She sat up and squinted at the calender on the wall. "August 7th. So?"

Ezra waited patiently for her to think it over. Finally, Aria's face lit up.

"Two months." she whispered, her face breaking out into a wide smile.

Ezra nodded, smiling back. "You did it!"

"Oh my God! Ezra, it's been two months!" Aria cried, practically jumping up and down. Without warning, she launched herself at Ezra, almost knocking him off the bed as her lips crashed against his. Regaining his balance, Ezra kissed her back before he picked her up and spun her around the room. Aria shrieked gleefully, holding her arms up above her. When Ezra finally placed her back on her feet, she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her face into his chest.

"Come on, we're going out for breakfast today, wherever you want." Ezra proposed.

Aria smiled. "How about that pastry shop down the street?"

"Your wish is my command." Ezra said, bowing slightly.

Aria laughed. "I'm going to get changed." she said, going over to the dresser and grabbing a yellow tank top and a pair of shorts before going to the bathroom to get changed. She emerged ten minutes later, changed and her hair combed to a glossy shine. Ezra was sitting on the couch in a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. The couple walked out of the apartment, hand in hand, ready to celebrate.

"Hey there!" Deb said, giving Aria a hug as she entered her office. "You did it!"

Aria's smile couldn't have been any bigger. "I can't believe it. I'm done! I'm not going to Radley!"

Deb smiled back. "No you're not! And, I have more news!"

"What?" Aria asked curiously.

"You don't need therapy anymore! You're healed!" Deb said.

"Are you serious?!" Aria replied, ecstatic. She hugged the older woman, "Thank you so much Deb! You've done so much for me, I don't think I'll ever be able to repay you for this!"

"Just stay strong and don't let our time together go to waste. That's all the repayment I need." Deb replied.

Aria nodded. "I will."

"Oh, and one more thing. This is for you." Deb said, holding an envelope out to Aria.

"What's this?" Aria asked curiously.

"I'm getting married next month, and you're invited. Bring your boyfriend with you, I'd love to meet the man who helped you through all this."

Aria nodded. "I will. Congratulations! We'll definitely be there!"

"Great! I can't wait to see you!" Deb responded happily.

The two women hugged once more. At this time, Aria realized how close she and Deb had become over the course of these past few months. She really didn't know how she'd have gotten through everything without the help of her psychiatrist and she was eternally grateful.

"Deb, you're the best!" Aria said, hugging her tight.

As Aria left Deb's office, she got a text.

Congratz! Knew you could do it! - Hanna

Thanks Han! Meet up later?" - Aria

Plans with Caleb today, sorry. Tomorrow? - Hanna

Sounds good! Aria replied before starting her car and heading over to the apartment. She received another text along the way and waited till she was at a stoplight before she opened it.

Hey love, can you pick up some milk on your way home?" -Ezra

Aria replied.

Sure babe. I'll be home in twenty. - Aria

Can't wait to see your beautiful face - xox Ezra

Aria smiled and put her phone down as the light turned green. She headed for the grocery store, picking up the milk, before she went back to Ezra's. As she opened the door to apartment 3B, she noticed the lights were off.

"Ezra?" she called, reaching blindly for the light swich.

All of a sudden, the apartment was flooded with light and a loud chorus of "Surprise!" echoed through the apartment. Aria looked around to see Hanna, Emily, Caleb, Paige, Toby, Mike, Ella, Byron, and of course, Ezra standing around his apartment, which had been decorated with balloons and streamers. There were snacks put out and drinks on the coffee table.

Aria felt her eyes fill with tears of happiness. She looked around the room at the smiling faces of her friends and family. "Oh my God! You guys really didn't have to do this!" she said, beaming.

"We wanted to, you deserve it." Ezra said, stepping forward and wrapping one arm around her waist. She hugged him, and then turned to everyone else. "Well, are you all just going to stand there?" she asked, holding her other arm out. Hanna and Emily stepped forward and joined the hug, everyone else soon following in one big group hug.

When they all broke apart, Mike said "So...let's eat!"

Aria rolled her eyes, laughing. "You came for the food, didn't you?"

"Duh! You don't think I came to celebrate with you, did you?" Mike said playfully.

Aria punched his arm, and laughed. "Ladies and gentleman, I present to you brother of the year!" she said, holding an imaginary microphone to her lips.

Everyone laughed and soon they were all around the apartment, talking, laughing, enjoying the snacks. Aria sat on the couch, her back against Ezra's chest, their fingers intertwined in her lap as Ezra subconsciously played with her fingers.

"Thank you for doing this for me." Aria said to him. "It was really sweet." She gave him a peck on the lips.

"Anything to see that beautiful smile on your face." Ezra replied, smiling.

"Well, if it isn't the lovebirds." Ella teased, sitting down next to her daughter.

Aria's cheeks reddened a bit but she grinned at her mom. "Hey mama. Enjoying the party?"

Ella nodded. "Honey, I'm so proud of you. I know it wasn't easy to deal with everything, but in the end you came out strong, as always."

"Thank mom." Aria said, giving her mother a hug. Ella hugged her back before pulling apart.

"Your father and I got you a little something." she said, holding out a little box.

"Mom you really didn't-"

"Oh hush! Just open it." Ella said, laughing.

Aria smiled as she unwrapped the little black box and opened it. Inside was a necklace with a heart-shaped pendant that had Aria's initials engraved on the back. Aria felt her eyes fill with tears. "Mom, it's beautiful." she said, looking up at her mother. "Thank you!"

"Your welcome!" Ella replied and Aria hugged her again.

"You're the best!"

"I know." Ella joked, laughing. Aria rolled her eyes but laughed too.

After everyone had left, Aria and Ezra had quickly cleaned up the apartment and settled down to watch TV. About ten minutes into the first show, Aria's eyelids became heavy and she fell asleep in Ezra's arms.

As she slept, Aria had a dream. She saw Spencer sitting in an open field, wearing a yellow sundress and a hat.

"Spencer!" she called. Spencer turned her head and smiled at her petite friend, waving to her.

Aria ran to her friend and sat down in front of her. "Spencer, you're okay!"

Spencer nodded. "I like it here. There's nothing to worry about, no school, no A, nothing. It's great!"

"I'm glad to hear that!" Aria said sincerely. "I've missed you so much!"

"I miss you too! And Hanna and Emily...and Toby." As she said Toby's name, Aria could see a hint of sadness behind her best friend's eyes.

"Spence, I'm so sorry." she said, putting her hand on her friend's bare leg.

Spencer shook her head. "It's not your fault, it never was. It was just an unfortunate accident."

"But I-"

"No buts!" Spencer said. "I don't blame you and it's been killing me to see what it's done to you. Aria, none of this was your fault and I'm really glad that you've been able to get through this. You're strong."

"Little but big." Aria said, smiling as she remember Spencer saying those words to her.

Spencer laughed. "Exactly!" Her expression became serious. "Ar, you need to always remember one thing."

"What's that?" Aria asked.

"Always remember that I love you and that we're best friends, alive or dead. Nothing can break up team Sparia. Stay strong and be happy. We'll meet again someday...hopefully not anytime soon." she said with a laugh.

Aria laughed too. "Thanks Spence. I love you!"

"Love you too!" Spencer replied and hugged her.

Aria woke up with a smile on her face. She sat up slowly and noticed Ezra was asleep. He opened his eyes when he felt her shifting.

"What's wrong?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing." Aria replied, settling herself against his chest and closing her eyes once more and sleep overcame her again.

Okay, so that was the last chapter of this story. I really hope you all enjoy it! I will be posting the first chapter of the sequel to Broken-Hearted Girl today as well, so feel free to check it out! It's going to be a happier fic than this one so I hope you like it. For those of you that love angst, if you're not already reading My Saviour, feel free to check it out. Don't forget to leave a review!

-xox Sobia :)

( Sobia_B26 on twitter)