It was Saturday. Ezra's mother had organised for Aria to meet Ezra's family, which neither were to pleased about. Ezra was convinced it was one of Diane's plans to mess things up, but of course he stayed quiet. Aria seemed to act excited about it, which she was-kind of.
Maybe it was Diane's way of keeping them apart for the remaining days that they were here.
"Good morning, beautiful." Ezra said in a happy tone, walking into Aria's room and closing the door behind him. He approached her just as she pulled the dress over her head, slipping his arms around her waist and leaning down to kiss her. "Did you sleep okay?"
Aria nodded, brushing her nose against Ezra's before pulling away from their embrace, and picking up her shoes. "It was okay."
"The nightmare?" Aria said nothing, a clear sign that Ezra was right. "Hopefully when we get back to the apartment, they'll stop."
"I hope so, I can't take them anymore." Ezra pushed out his lips, sneaking up behind Aria to run his hands through her hair.
"I know, you'll be able to get a proper nights sleep tomorrow night."
"I miss being able to sleep in the same bed as you." With a nod, Ezra pulled away from his girlfriend, allowing her to finish getting herself ready.

-
It wasn't long before Diane had called them both down the stairs to help set everything up, pushing them both in different directions.
Aria was still curious as to what happened to Ezra's father, and what was so bad that even Diane couldn't tell Aria. Maybe he was a serial killer, or something like that.
"Take these out and set them on the long white table." Diane ordered, handing Aria a tray of small snacks. "Then that should be it." Aria did as she was told, walking out towards the acres of land to set down the tray on the table. It was all set out perfectly, with a wide gazebo for all the food to sit under. It was then that people started to crowd in, different members of Ezra's family spreading about the large green.
Most of them would approach her, introducing themselves and telling them how happy for Ezra they were.
"It's great to see someone that Ezra's happy with, we've all missed him." Ezra's grandmother said, giving Aria a weak squeeze. "I was so pleased to hear that he'd met someone." All she could do was spread a wide grin, watching the fragile woman in awe.
"I'm glad I found such an amazing man, he truly is my life." Aria said proudly, brushing the curled lock of hair behind her ear. It was really an honour to be with such a man as Ezra Fitz.
"Diane tells me that you went to school together, that must be very sweet." Aria forced a smile, nodding once before excusing herself politely, in search of Ezra.
Unfortunately, she only found more guests introducing themselves, and she felt her head begin to spin. She tried to camouflage herself in the crowd, freezing when she heard a voice.
"Aria?" She spun around, her eyes landing on Malcolm who waved up at her with a wide grin. He looked the same as he did before, but with shorter hair. The same childish grin.
"Hey, Malcolm. What're you doing here?"
"We were invited too! Isn't that great?" Aria nodded with a small smile, as Malcolm latched onto her hand. She glanced around for Ezra, or anyone that could be handed to Malcolm instead of her. "Who're you looking for?"
"Ezra." Aria said without thinking, continuously glancing around the place. Ezra was no where to be seen.
"I'll help you find him." Malcolm said enthusiastically, pulling Aria along with him.

-
Ezra wanted to be anywhere but here. He was currently stood beside his Mother, welcoming the last few of the guests, before Ezra's grandmother approached them, pulling Ezra into a tight hug.
"Ezra, it's been a while." The small woman said with a grin, glancing at Diane. She walked out with a huff, folding her arms over her chest. "I've just had the pleasure of meeting your girlfriend, Aria. She really is a charm." Ezra couldn't help but spread a wide smile, nodding in agreement.
"The love of my life." He said without even having to think about it. "I wish my Mother just felt the same way as you did, she's hardly Aria's biggest fan." She let out a small scoff, shaking her head.
"Just ignore her, she's never liked anyone but herself." Ezra laughed at her words, as she shot him a wink. "I have something to give you." He watched as his elderly grandmother searched through her purse, pulling out a small blue velvet box.
"What's that?" Ezra asked with a sharply raised brow, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"It's for your girlfriend, silly. It's the family ring, it was mine, your mothers, and now yours."
"But, I'm not marrying Aria yet..." Ezra trailed off, as she shook her head, holding it out to him.
"Take it, and use it when you are marrying her." He tried to refuse, but the old woman wasn't giving in. "Ezra Fitzgerald." She warned, placing it into his hand. "Just in case." And with that she walked off, throwing her bag over her shoulder. Ezra began to make his way up the stairs when he caught sight of Aria and Malcolm outside, and he froze. Maybe he could just put it up the stairs later. He pushed it into his pocket, and made his way outside in search of his girlfriend.
He spotted her near the end of the wide acres of grass, being dragged here there and everywhere by the small boy in front of her. He was pretty determined to find whatever he was looking for.
Malcolm spotted him first, and Ezra held up a finger to his to signal the boy to stay quiet about his whereabouts. Malcolm did as told, staying silent until Ezra was right behind Aria, as he scooped her up into his arms.
"Put me down!" Aria yelled between her fits of laughter, pushing at Ezra's chest as he spun her around, before placing her square on the ground. "You're an idiot." She grumbled, pulling at the ends of her dress to level it again.
Ezra shot her a teasing glare, interlacing their fingers together. "What were you guys doing?"
"Looking for you!" Malcolm shouted, flashing Ezra a toothy grin.
"Hey, Buddy! How're you doing?" He ruffled up Malcolm's hair, receiving a laugh from both Aria and the boy. Ezra had to admit that he missed Malcolm, a great deal. It was strange not having him around anymore.
"I'm okay, a little hungry." Ezra chuckled, pointing Malcolm in the direction of the food.
"Why don't I come and find you soon? We can play with your cars." Malcolm nodded, running off in search of some food.
"Where've you been all day?" Aria groaned out, resting her head on Ezra's shoulder. "I've been looking for you."
"I had to welcome people with my mother, and then I saw my Grandmother." He said with a nonchalant shrug, slipping an arm around her waist. "How're you holding up?"
"Your family are amazing, they actually like me, unlike your mother." Ezra couldn't help but laugh, leaning down to brush a kiss along her forehead. Her eyes glanced around at the groups of people, some waving at her as she caught their eye.
And then her eyes landed on the one person that she didn't want to see. The one person that could ruin this entire day.
"Is that my Dad?"