Chapter 23

Aria POV

She was deliriously happy as a few weeks had gone by and Ezra still hadn't return to Long Beach. He hadn't left her side except for when she went to school. She had to admit she loved the attention he showed her, allowing her to cuddle with him anytime she wanted. Many times she had even wondered if he'll ever go back to California. She didn't kid herself; she knew he would end up leaving eventually. She knew he had to get back to college.

It was so easy to fell back into pattern with him, loving that they didn't have to hide their relationship because of their parents. She loved spending her days with him and her friends. She couldn't see why she couldn't split her time between them. It was nice to be able to talk to them about Ezra, and it was nice to be able to tell Ezra about them. Every night he took her out on a date. For the first time, she could consider him her boyfriend. The notion made her giddy.

Even though she had wanted to, they hadn't slept together since that last time in his bedroom. He had made it known on several different occasions that he wasn't in any rush to resume the physical part of their relationship. She loved his consideration, loved that he was making an effort for the most part. He was treating her with so much respect that she didn't know what to do with herself. She wouldn't pretend that everything was completely okay with them, because it wasn't. He still had his days of mood swings.

If he didn't have his ups and downs, then she wouldn't think it was normal. She knew he was still struggling with the issues that were still unknown to her. She didn't pressure him for answers, knowing he would tell her when he was ready for her to know. She loved that him and Scott seem to be on good terms, occasionally having father and son time. She never sort to know what they did during their times together, but Ezra always volunteered to tell her. She felt lucky he was being very open about it, especially with her.

Her mother was back speaking to her, and she was happy. Even she could see how Ezra made her daughter, and saw how much Aria loved Ezra. She had missed their closeness that she could go to her for anything. She was still coming around to the thought of Aria and Ezra, but she was at least trying her hardest. It was all Aria could ask for. Scott seemed to accept her and Ezra more readily, a smile always on his face when he saw them together.

Her favorite time was when they all sat down together at the table during meals, engaging in all kinds of conversations. It still amazed her how talkative Ezra was. She liked this side of him, liked they he was fitting into the fold of the family. He had been the missing piece that glued them together. Their times together as a family felt natural, like they had been doing it for a very long time. She didn't want anything to come between them, or ruin the effort that resulted to this point.

Aria was even happier to be back at school. She had missed her teachers, classes, and just the atmosphere of being in school. She enjoyed how challenging her school work could be. She pushed herself to do her best every day, wanting to get the best grades possible to able to apply to a decent college of her choosing. Ezra made a point to help her if she was struggling over a subject. He was a big help. She loved how he explained things so she could understand them better.

Aria and Ezra didn't talk about the miscarriage. It only stirred up unwelcome memories. Ezra knew it hurt for her to talk about it. She just wanted to forget ever being pregnant. Both of them hadn't been in the position to care for a baby. She had been very unhappy about her pregnancy, and he hadn't been in the right mind frame.

Ezra still hadn't told her he loved her, but he didn't have to. She knew he did. She knew she was the first girl he had ever allowed himself to love. Ezra knew he didn't have to fear her ever leaving him that she'll break his heart, or she'd judge him. Ezra knew Aria was a safe bet. She loved that he had so much faith in her.

Aria didn't want to ever crack his illusion of her. She was going to do her best to make him happy, to let him know how much he was loved. She would remind him every day for the rest of their lives. She didn't care if it took her years to prove it, until he finally got the message. He was the only guy she ever wanted, the only guy she would ever love. She wanted to be with him forever.

"I have to go back to California tomorrow," Ezra said as he looked over the table at her stunned face. Aria fought the urge not to panic. She had known this moment would come. She wasn't able to hide the sadness on her beautiful face as she tried to smile. She couldn't get it to form on her lips, her mouth feeling stiff. "Don't worry; I'll be back the day after".

She felt somewhat relieved, but not entirely.

"I understand," Aria said softly as she looked back at her plate of food. All of a sudden she wasn't hungry for the fried chicken, mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese, and dinner roll. She and Ezra had tackled cooking for the first time. Everything had turned out okay. She never knew cooking could be much fun if you shared the responsibility. "What are you going to be doing?"

She could still feel those striking blue eyes of his on her. She raised her head to meet them, trying to figure out the hidden message behind them.

"I don't think you do," Ezra said with a rare smile as he moved his chair over to hers, his hand reaching out for hers. "Aria, I'm not moving back to Long Beach to live. I'm moving to Rosewood permanently. I'm only going back to get everything in order, which includes all my finances, my apartment and my job, and college".

She couldn't' believe what she was hearing. He was going to move to Rosewood. He was coming to be with her, or at least she assumed he was coming to be with her. She could only look back at him dumbfounded, her mouth moving, but no words came out. She begged her heart to stop beating fast as she digested the information. Was it really possible? Was he really doing it all for her, for them? She didn't know what to think.

She didn't want to jump to any conclusions. She had to hear all the facts before she allowed herself to relax, allowed herself to be happy. She continued staring into his face, taking in the smile that played over his mouth. She was still getting used to his smiles. He rarely did so. She could tell by his look he was waiting for her to say something.

Was this really happening?

"You're moving to Rosewood?" Aria asked, wanting to hear him say again as she squeezed his hand, her fingers lacing with his. "What does all this mean?"

"I believe I said that," he laughed as his other hand comb through her long silky shoulder length hair, before tracing her mouth with his fingers. "It means I want to be with you, Aria. That I don't want to be away from you".

She launched herself into his arms, her arms circling around his neck as she buried her face in the crook of his neck. His arms tightened around her smallish frame, holding her close as he kissed the top of her head, running his lips along the side of her face. She really was happy. He made her happy. She had never dreamed a guy could ever love her this way, make her happy beyond her wildest dreams. She didn't want to let him go.

"How would this even work?" Aria asked her voice deliriously happy as she pulled back slightly to look up into his face. "I can scarcely breathe; fear I'll start hyperventilating from jubilation".

He lowered his head to meet her lips with his, groaning as she kissed him back. His tongue slid into her mouth, and hers entered his, both of them deepening the kiss. She felt much desire for him. She could barely control her hands as she held to the back of his shoulders, their tongues stoking against one another as they both moaned. The passion only built between them, threatening to run over. She wanted him, needed to have him buried inside of her. But, before it could go any further, he pulled back.

"Just take a deep breath," he said as he planted another kiss on her lips. "And I'll find me an apartment here, apply to Hollis, and continue working with Scott".

He really did have everything planned out.

"Why are you even doing this?" Aria asked hoarsely, her brown eyes holding his blue ones. "You're making a big sacrifice".

"Because I love you," Ezra said as he stroked his fingers down her jawline, feeling as she trembled in his arms. "I thought I'll never be able to say that, but being with you made it possible".

A wide smile broke out on her face as she peered at him, feeling thrilled by his answer. She knew he meant it. There was no denying the look in his eyes, the way he continued to run his fingers along her person as though he couldn't believe she was really his.

"I'm in love with you too," Aria spoke the words as though they were biblical, her fingers twining in his hair. "And I'll always try to make you happy".

"I can't ever lose you," Aria could almost hear the desperation in his voice. She knew just how he felt. "I still have my problems to work through, but I'll always be here for you".

Aria loved the sound of that. She would always be there for him too. She knew they'll be good together. He loved her, he had said so. She still couldn't get the words out of her head, her heart feeling incredibly heavy.

I just loved this chapter so much. I loved how Ezra told Aria he loved her. I thought it was the perfect time for him to say the words. What did you guys think of this chapter? Please review and let me know! And I'm a little sad there are only two more chapters in this story. I'll miss it very much.