Chapter 16:

Aria woke up the next morning, realizing she and Ezra had fallen asleep on the couch again. But she couldn't feel Ezra's body behind hers. Aria sat up and looked around. Ezra wasn't anywhere in sight. Aria got up, walking into the kitchen and finding a note.

Getting breakfast, back soon. And get dressed, I'm taking you out after breakfast.

-xoxo Ezra

Aria smiled, wondering what Ezra had planned for the day. Knowing him, it was sure to be something really romantic. She walked to Ezra's closet, which was pretty much hers because most of the clothes belonged to her. She pulled out 3 different dresses; a purple one, a red one and a black one. She tried on all 3 and took a picture, texting them to Ezra.

Which one? -AM

You look beautiful in all three xo -EF

lol aww, thanks hun. But u still gotta pick 1 :P -AM

hmm...the black one. It brings out your beautiful eyes. -EF

black it is. Any chance you'll tell me where we're going? -AM

Nice try, not a chance -EF

Worth a try. See u soon -AM

Aria tossed her phone on the bed before changing into the black dress. She curled her hair and added a necklace with an owl pendant and hoops earrings. She was just putting on a jean jacket to complete her look when Ezra walked through the door, the smell of coffee and muffins wafting through the apartment.

"Morning handsome." she said, taking the items and setting them on the table before giving him a kiss.

"You look lovely." he murmured against her lips.

Aria pulled back a little and noticed that Ezra was wearing a light green dress shirt and pants. "You look pretty great yourself." she replied smiling.

Ezra gave her one last kiss before pulling back and handing her a cup of coffee. "Eat up, we have to leave soon." he said.

"And there's no way of getting you to tell me where we're going?" Aria asked, smiling.

"That would ruin the surprise." Ezra replied, flashing Aria his boyish smile that made her heart beat faster.

"Fine." Aria pouted, grabbing a chocolate-chip muffin from the bag and popping a piece into her mouth. "Mmm! These are amazing!" she sighed happily.

"I know. They're from that little bakery down the street. You should try the blueberry ones, they're even better." Ezra said, taking one out and feeding her a piece.

"Oh my God! These are heaven!" Aria exclaimed, taking another bite.

"Only the finest for my love." Ezra replied, chuckling.

They quickly finished their breakfast and Ezra insisted on blindfolding Aria before they left. Reluctantly, she agreed, allowing him to tie the blindfold over her eyes and guide her down to his car. They drove in silence, Ezra's hand in hers, occasionally squeezing. He pulled over after a bit and helped Aria out of the car, and they walked for a few minutes.

"Are we almost there?" Aria asked.

"Actually, we're here." Ezra said coming to a halt before taking her blindfold off.

"Oh my GOD! Ezra, it's beautiful!" Aria exclaimed, looking speechlessly at Ezra. She was staring at a wide area with green trees and grass, and a stream that flowed through. "How did you find this place?" she asked.

"I was biking around here once and I got lost and ended up here. I thought of you as soon as I saw it." Ezra said, taking Aria's hand. "Come on."

Ezra led her to a bench that had a red table cloth and a vase of red roses on it. There was also a basket that Ezra opened up, taking several items out. He pulled out some sandwiches, potato salad, apples, and a bottle of red wine.

"Aw, Ezra you didn't have to do all this for me!" Aria exclaimed, looking at the various items in front of her.

"I wanted to. You're definitely worth it." Ezra said, smiling his boyish smile.

Aria rolled her eyes. "You're extremely cheesy but I love you for it." she teased, leaning across the table to give him a kiss.

Ezra laughed. "What can I say, I'm a hopeless romantic."

They ate their lunch, talking about school, friends, books, and just about everything else. When they finished, Ezra reached into the basket and pulled out a pint of mint chocolate ice cream.

"Oh my God! That's my favourite ice cream!" Aria exclaimed, practically jumping up and down in her seat.

Ezra laughed. "I know." he said, pouring some into a bowl for her and handing it to her.

"Mmmm!" Aria said, sighing contentedly. "This is why I love you."

"You only love me for my ice cream?! I thought our relationship was more than that!" Ezra joked, pretending to be offended.

"No, sorry Fitz, but my relationship with the ice cream is too strong." Aria teased, taking another bite.

Ezra snatched her bowl of ice cream away.

"Hey!" Aria shrieked.

"Sorry, only ice cream for the one I love." Ezra said laughing as Aria tried to reach for the bowl, but her arms were too short.

Aria pouted. "Fine. I love you, Ezra." she said, coming around from the table to sit in his lap, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him in for a kiss.

Ezra kissed her back, then pulled away. "Much better." he said, feeding her a spoonful of ice cream.

When they finished their ice cream, Ezra reached into the basket again, rummaging inside.

"How much can you fit in one basket?" Aria said, laughing.

"Surprisingly, a lot more than you'd think." Ezra replied, pulling out an iPod dock. After a moment of fiddling around, Happiness by the Fray came on and Ezra got up, coming around to the other side of the bench and standing in front of Aria.

"May I have this dance?" he asked, holding his hand out to Aria.

"Of course." she replied, smiling as she took his hand and let him take the lead. They danced and danced, Ezra occasionally tripping over his two left feet, causing Aria to laugh. By the time the song ended, Ezra had fallen over and Aria was sitting on the ground, laughing so hard tears were in her eyes.

"Well, I may not be able to dance but at least I got to hear that beautiful laugh." Ezra said, moving a stray lock of hair from Aria's eyes and pulling her onto his lap, wrapping his strong arms around her. He rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Remind me to wear steel-toed boots next time we go dancing." Aria said, laughing as she kissed his cheek.

"Ha ha, you're hilarious." Ezra said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

"I try." Aria replied. She turned slightly, so she was snuggled into Ezra's chest. "This was a great surprise. I'm so glad I have you." she said, tilting her head up to kiss him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Ezra's arms tightened around her and he pulled her closer, kissing her back. They broke apart a moment later, and Ezra picked Aria up from his lap and stood up, helping Aria to her feet.

"There's one more surprise waiting for you." he declared, heading back to the picnic bench, Aria's hand in his.

Aria raised her eyebrows. "Seriously, how much can you fit in that basket?"

"Oh, there's a lot that can fit in their, but that's not what we're getting. Turn around." he said, picking the blindfold up. Aria obeyed, and Ezra tied the blindfold around her eyes before taking her hand again and walking for a few minutes.

"Okay, we're here." he said, and Aria took her blindfold off.

"No way!" Aria said, shocked. She was staring at an adorable little boat in the stream with two life jackets. "You are officially the BEST boyfriend in the world!" she said, jumping into his arms and kissing him passionately. Ezra kissed her back with just as much love and passion, picking her up in his arms.

"I love you." Aria murmured against Ezra's lips.

"I love you too." Ezra replied, kissing her again. "Ready for more adventure?"

"Lead the way." Aria replied, taking Ezra's hand as he helped her onto the boat. They glided smoothly along the stream, the waves gently rocking the boat. They sat in silence, just enjoying each other's company.

"Aria?"

"Hmm?"

Ezra stopped rowing and stood in front of Aria, careful to keep his balance as the boat stopped rocking. "Aria, I've known you for over a year and the day we met, I thought "who is this girl." And even after I found out you were my student, although it took time and we went through so many obstacles, our love has grown stronger by the day. I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Ezra went down on one knee and held a little velvet box in his hand. "Will you do me the honor of marrying me?" Ezra asked.

Aria stared at him, tears in her eyes as she nodded. "Yes." she managed.

Ezra slid the ring onto Aria's finger just before she attacked his lips with her own. They kissed passionately, their mouths merging into one. Aria's hands were tangled in Ezra's soft, brown hair and his hands were on her waist, holding her against him. As they kissed, the boat hit a particularly rough wave, making the boat topple over, knocking Aria and Ezra into the water.

"HOLY CRAP!" Aria shrieked.

Ezra laughed, grabbing her arm. Aria held onto him as he guided her to the shore, both of them in tears by the time they reached the shore. Aria shivered from the cold water and Ezra wrapped his arms around her, cradling her against his chest.

"You okay?" he asked.

Aria nodded. "More than okay." she said, staring adoringly at the diamond ring on her finger. It was shaped like a heart, simple yet elegant. Perfect for her. "I can't believe we're actually getting married." she said, looking up at Ezra.

"I know, I can't wait till the day I can call you my wife." Ezra replied, staring lovingly down at her.

"Aria Fitz." Aria said, trying the name out. "I could get used to that." she said, snuggling closer into Ezra's chest.

As the couple continued talking about their wedding, they watched the sun set in the distance, turning the water in the stream orange, like lava.

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. There's one more chapter left (or maybe 2, not sure yet.) And I don't plan on having a sequel at the moment, but possibly later on. Let me know if you all want a sequel, and if you do, what do you want to see in it?