A/N: And we're back! This chapter has a bit of smut in it, you'll know it when it comes, so just skip it if you wish to.

CHAPTER 4

After the tense and energy draining conversation, Aria and Ezra decided they needed some rest. There were still a lot of things they needed to discuss and figure out, but that could wait. Right now they were tired. And they longed to be close to each other, touch each other. It had been too long, they owed this moment of oblivion and comfort to themselves.

Since Helena's apartment was too small and didn't have enough space for a third person, they went to Ezra's hotel room, which was, of course, close enough so that they could reach it within a five minute walk. They crashed on the queen sized bed and immediately fell into that familiar position: Aria rested her head on Ezra's chest, while he had an arm around her. Sleep soon followed and they finally felt, for the first time in weeks, that everything was where they belonged.

Aria woke up with the sound of her phone ringing. She noticed Ezra stirring up and picked up the phone, answering without checking the caller's ID.

"Hello?"

"Aria? Finally! What happened, where were you? I tried calling you, Helena… I was about to call Ezra, but I was afraid it wouldn't be a good idea, since I don't know if you guys had talked yet or if you were having make up sex, so I-"

"Hanna, calm down. First of all, how did you know Ezra was coming to New York?"

"Oh, I ran into your mom at The Brew and she told me he was going to New York to try and talk to you. So, did he?"

"Yes, he did." Aria looked at Ezra, who was rubbing the sleep out of his eyes with a confused expression on his face. Aria thought it was the cutest sight she'd seen in a long time and smiled at him. "We talked… we are, you know, talking. We were just too tired and took a nap, I'm sorry I didn't answer your calls, I was blacked out I guess."

"Oooohhhh, so there was make up sex! Tell me all about it."

"Hanna… "

"Oh, he's there, isn't he? Sorry, I'll let you get back to it, talk to you tomorrow!"

Hanna hung up and Aria let out a sigh. "That was Hanna."

Ezra raised his eyebrows. "Yeah, I figured. I heard something about make up sex?"

"Uh, yeah. She's crazy. So, I'm starving. Do you want to go out and get something to eat?" Aria said, avoiding the subject.

"Yes, I'm famished. Let's go to that pizza place we walked by on our way here, it looks nice."

"Great, let's go."

After having a nice dinner, filled with nothing but pleasant conversation, they decided to head to Helena's and pick up Aria's stuff. They had talked about going back to Rosewood the next day and decided to spend their last evening in the Big Apple in the hotel, for obvious reasons. Aria could have decided to sleep at Helena's while Ezra stayed at the hotel, but she really didn't feel like being away from him, even though there was a significant part of her that was still angry and searching for answers and reassuring.

Helena greeted them and wished them well on their ride home the next day. Aria promised to keep in touch more often and Helena promised to come visit them in Rosewood. They arrived back at the hotel a little after 10pm, and, because of their long nap that afternoon, they realized they weren't tired and so they watched a movie on TV. Unfortunately, it wasn't a black and white one, but neither cared. They were cuddling on the bed and that was all they needed at that moment.

"Hey, I need to talk to you about something."

Aria wasn't in the mood to have another serious conversation, but agreed to anyway. "What's up?"

"Well, I know that we are back together, but what exactly are we? Are we still engaged?" It was apparent that Ezra was afraid to ask that question and rightfully so. The matter was that Aria didn't know how to answer it. She had thought about it after they made up. She still loved him and wanted to marry him, of course, but with everything that had happened she didn't know if that was the best idea, not at that moment anyway. Besides, after they got back together, they had quickly gotten engaged and then were about to marry before Nicole showed up. So it wasn't an easy decision for her to make, and she knew it was her call.

"Ezra, don't you think we rushed things a little too much after we got back together?"

Ezra looked surprised. "Well, considering we were together for four years before that and that we know each other so well, no, I don't think it was rushed."

"I know, but it was. Even if we were together all this time we are not the same people we were five years ago. We changed a lot. And now, with this new situation with Nicole, I don't – "

"I told you and I meant it. Nothing changed for me after she came back. My feelings for you are still the same and so is my intent on marrying you."

Aria let out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding. It felt good to hear those words again, to feel that reassurance. "I know, you've told me that already. But things have changed. We can't pretend these past couple of weeks didn't happen."

Ezra took Aria's hands in his and looked her straight in the eyes. "Aria, if you want to wait, if you want to go back to being boyfriend and girlfriend, whatever it is you want to do, I'll do it. Even if you decide to live somewhere else other than my place, even if you won't accept that ring for some time, I'll still accept it. As long as I'm with you, I won't make any demands. But I am ready. I've been ready for some time and I'm absolutely sure this is what I want. You are who I want. And I want you as my wife. So, if you decide to be engaged to me, I'll be the happiest man alive, even if I don't deserve it. But if you don't, I'll do whatever I can to change your mind someday, but I'll still respect your decision."

Aria felt like crying, but fought back the tears, thinking about how much she had cried lately. "I think we should call off the engagement."

As much as it hurt Aria to say that, nothing could compare to Ezra's expression. He looked absolutely heartbroken and Aria felt bad for being responsible for his misery. She knew she had the "right" to do so, that she wasn't being unreasonable, but it still hurt to see the man you love look so downcast.

"However, I still want to be with you, of course. I just don't think it's the right thing to do right now, go back to planning a wedding that was supposed to have happened weeks ago. It doesn't feel right, and I want my wedding to feel right."

"I understand. I'm not surprised you want to do that. But like I said, I'll do my best to change your mind."

Aria smiled. "I know. And I'm not saying I won't say no forever, I'm just saying we should work through things first, before we drown ourselves into seating charts and invitations."

Ezra laughed. "I can't wait to be drowned in all of that."

##########

Their conversation the previous night had done wonders to them. After so more light hearted talking and teasing, the couple slept through the night, after making plans to head back to Rosewood in the afternoon, taking the morning to do some sight seeing.

Ezra woke up first and found a way to stare at Aria's sleeping face while still holding her close. After a few minutes she finally opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"Good morning", she said.

Ezra's face lighted up. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I did. What time is it?"

Ezra reached out to his phone on the nightstand. "Almost 7:30. Wow, didn't think it would still be that early."

"Yeah, me neither. Well, to be honest I can't wait to have that breakfast at the diner on 42nd, so I don't mind getting up early."

Ezra smiled and then looked apprehensive. He was being careful of Aria's feelings and always being careful to not say the wrong thing, but some things just had to be said. "Aria, will you be coming back to my place after we get to Rosewood?"

Aria bit her lip. That was another question she hadn't figured out the answer to, but after waking up next to him, having the expectation of having breakfast with him, starting their days together, she could finally say it. "I will. I want and I miss waking up with you. I really missed you, Ezra."

Ezra smiled and held her face between his hands. "I missed you so, so much." He kissed her lips with passion and longing, a kiss that wasn't like the others they had shared the past couple of days. Up until then they had always had chaste kisses, superficial acts of love that were too afraid to go too far. This time was different. This time they had made their feelings known to themselves and each other and they could now acknowledge the fact that they missed their intimacy.

Ezra rolled on top of Aria and pushed his legs between hers. The friction of their bodies was enough to make them both moan. That feeling that they were so used to but still caused them so much pleasure whenever it happened. Ezra moved his lips to Aria's neck, kissing her gently while she rubbed her hands down his back, while grinding her hips to his.

Things escalated quickly. It had been to long and they desired each other too much at that moment for foreplay. Ezra removed Aria's shorts while she began to push his boxers down. After removing her shirt, Ezra's lips latched onto one of her nipples, making Aria let out a loud moan, throwing her head back. He moved his attention to the other nipple, but she soon had had enough. She removed his shirt and took his erection in her hands, guiding him into her opening. She breathed out his name at the contact, while he buried his head on her shoulder, taking deep breaths. After not long of moving together, in sync and with hands roaming everywhere, kisses and lustful looks exchanged, they reached their peak and crashed side by side on the mattress, breathless, but still never letting the other go.

That diner's bagels didn't seem that interesting to Aria now.

##########

Aria was lost in her thoughts when she heard footsteps down the stairs. She hadn't slept much, her feelings keeping her awake for most of the night. She was curled up on the sofa, thinking about how much had changed in the last few weeks. Actually, few months. She had gone from living in Boston, in a healthy relationship with a guy who adored her, to being back in Rosewood, being caught up in all the A.D. drama, engaged to the love of her life (who was also the person who had hurt the most in her entire life) and now facing a delicate situation with said person.

Even though they had worked things out, they were still somewhat weird. Aria didn't know how exactly to proceed. She knew they had agreed on holding off the whole engagement thing for now and just take things slow, but it was kinda difficult doing that when you two had been engaged not so long ago. Also, what would they tell people? Others would know they had had a big fight, that ended in the postponement? Cancelation? Reevaluation? Of their engagement, and that in itself was hard to deal with. How would they answer the questions from others if themselves didn't know what was going on?

Ezra came up to her and kissed her forehead.

"Good morning. How long have you been up?" He asked.

"Morning. About an hour or two I think."

"Oh. Is everything alright? Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, I just woke up and couldn't get back to sleep, but I was rested enough."

"Good. Do you want some breakfast? I'll go down downstairs and pick something up."

"That sounds good.

Aria thought it was best if she kept the information about the reason she had been awake so early a secret.

##########

After breakfast, Aria decided to face the music and called the girls. They agreed to meet at Spencer's barn for lunch. Aria wasn't exactly looking forward. She knew her friends loved her, but they could be judgmental and inquisitive sometimes. But, unfortunately, she knew she couldn't keep hiding from them any longer.

##########

Ezra decided to stay home, unpack and put everything in order. He had also planned on going to the groceries and doing the laundry. He wanted to make sure Aria didn't have any reason to complain and so whatever mundane errand or chore he could do, he would.

After doing everything he had planned, Ezra sat down to watch a movie. It was getting late and Aria would probably come home soon. He was excited to see her, he had missed her, even if they had seen each other not long ago. Still, he wanted to see her reaction to what she would find once she got there. He could picture the smile on her face.

He heard the doorbell ring and smiled. She probably forgot her keys again. He picked up the flowers he had purchased for her earlier and headed to the door.

##########

"I can't say I'm surprised, but I can't say I'm not confused either… you two are back to living together and being together, but not engaged? After he proposed like a month ago and you said yes… that's a little awkward, isn't it?" Hanna said.

Aria sighed. "Yes, it is. Trust me, awkward doesn't even begin to describe it. It's like we are both walking on eggshells most of the time, and it hasn't even been 24 hours since we got back. And we are not 'living together'. I slept at his place last night, that was it. I'll probably sleep there tonight too, since I didn't tell my parents what is going on, but I'll do it tomorrow. Ugh. And everyone else… first seeing an engagement ring on my finger, and then there isn't one, but I'm still with Ezra… and if I ever get to wear it again, they'll probably come up to me and say 'oh, you're engaged again. To whom?'"

"Well but it is what it is, right? I mean… if you went back to being engaged it would feel even more uncomfortable, would it not? You just went through some heavy crap, you can't just go back to where you were and pretend everything's fine. You're doing the right thing, Ar. And you can always stay here with me, you don't have to tell your parents until you're ready. And fuck whatever everyone else thinks."

"Thanks Spence, I appreciate that", Aria said with a smile.

"Well, we are all here to support you, in whatever you decide", Emily said.

"Yeah, and if you ever want some distraction we can always go to Philly and do something Ezra would hate, like going to a male strip club or something. He would be so mad, and we would be so happy and he wouldn't do anything about it, cause he deserves it. A little."

They all laughed at Hanna's joke (or maybe it wasn't a joke) and agreed to catch up more often, to make sure Aria wouldn't spend all her energy thinking about Ezra's and her situation.

##########

"What are you doing here? How did you get here?" Ezra didn't have the intention to sound rude, but he knew that's how he came across. He was still blocking the door with his body and he peeked around her to see if anyone else was there. He was relieved to find out Aria hadn't arrived. Yet.

"I-I'm sorry, Ezra. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to call you, but my parents wouldn't let me. They said they could delivered whatever message I had for you, but I wanted to see you and talk to you in person."

"You shouldn't have come here. Do your parents know, Nicole?"

"No, they don't. Please, just let me come in, don't call them."

Ezra scratched the back of his neck. "You know this isn't a good idea, right? They'll be pissed and we all agreed you should stay at the rehab clinic until the doctors gave you the ok. And besides, I told you I wouldn't be able to see you for a while and that you should have waited for me to come to you."

"There's someone else, isn't there?" Nicole asked, with tears about to spill out of her eyes.

Ezra sighed. "Come in."

##########

After spending the afternoon with her friends and talking about anything other than Ezra, Aria was actually excited to see him. She had missed him, like usual, but she also had a newfound sense of determination and perseverance, which turned her thoughts to making her relationship not only work, but thrive.

As she walked up the stairs to the loft she couldn't help but smile. Thinking about how she would open the door and see Ezra, kiss him, order some take out and cuddle on the sofa while watching a movie was the best thing she could think of at that moment and she wouldn't change it for anything.

Suffice to say, seeing Nicole and Ezra sitting on the sofa, talking, wasn't what she expected at all when she opened the front door.

"But you have to understand, I suffered so much, I… Aria? Uh, hi." Ezra couldn't think of a worst timing for his girlfriend to return. He got up and alternated looking at Aria and Nicole. He walked up to the former and kissed her on the cheek.

"Hello. Did I interrupt something?" Aria knew she did, but she couldn't help but feign oblivion. She knew she had just walked into a drama filled situation.

"No, of course not. Nicole came over and we were just talking. I wasn't expecting her, otherwise I would have told you."

"Yes, I'm sorry for barging in, Aria, but I wanted to talk to Ezra and I thought it would be better if I did it in person. Besides, I didn't know you two were… together."

Aria decided to ignore the sting in Nicole's last sentence. "Oh, that's ok, I was just surprised. I'll, uh… go upstairs and let you two talk." With a small smile, Aria made her way to the staircase.

Ezra looked at Nicole with an apologetic look. "Sorry, I'll be right back."

Nicole nodded and smiled, but Ezra had already gone after Aria.

When he got to the bedroom, he noticed Aria was about to go into the shower, but she stopped and looked at him with an inquisitive look.

"Did Nicole already leave?" She was, again, faking oblivion. Ezra knew that didn't sound good.

"No… I just wanted to see if you're okay."

"I'm okay. I'm not happy, but I'm okay."

"I'm sorry, I really am. If I had known she was coming I would have stopped her. But this won't take long, I'll try to get her out as soon as possible."

Aria sighed. "This wasn't what I was expecting for our night, but you can't just get rid of her. Go, talk to her, and let me know when she's gone so that I can order some food, I'm getting hungry."

Ezra smiled. "You are amazing. I love you." He hugged her and kissed her head.

"I love you too."

##########

Aria looked at her phone and saw how late it was. 9pm. It had been two hours since she got home and Ezra still hadn't come up. Nicole was still downstairs and, from the volume of their voices, things had gotten a little rough. She was starving and she wanted to be able to walk around the house freely, without an ex girlfriend who caused so much drama between her and her then fiancé, shouting and crying.

Downstairs, Ezra was desperately trying to convince Nicole to leave. He had had enough and he was afraid of going bald after running his hand through his hair so many times.

"Nicole, please. I can't do this anymore. I've told you everything there was to say. You've told me everything you could've told me. I'm sorry, I know this is a lot and it's difficult to come to grips with this new reality you were thrown into, but I can't do anything to change this. I told you, I'll be there for you in any way that I can, but we are no longer a couple, I'm not in love with you anymore, but I still care about you, I want you to be okay."

"You want me to be okay?! You care about me?! Yeah, right, trying to make me leave and answer my questions by myself so you can go back to your girlfriend, the woman you were in love with during our relationship, the one that got away, the one that always made me feel insecure. That's some real consideration, Ezra. I understand you could have moved on, but with her? That's really low."

"How could I have chosen who I ended up with? Aria showed up after all this time, I couldn't help but-"

"Yes, you could! If you ever had any real love for me, you could've stayed away from her!"

"Okay, let's move on. You said you still have questions. So ask me, I'll answer them."

"You know what, I'm just gonna go. I can't handle this right now, you're too fucking full of yourself and you don't give a fuck about me! You have no idea what I went through, the nightmare I've lived in for the past THREE YEARS Ezra, THREE years! The one thing that kept me going the most, the thing I looked forward to the most was being with you again. And now it's over. I was in that hell and… And it's all your fault and you know it!"

Nicole burst out of the loft slamming the door. Aria had started making her way down the stairs when she heard Nicole's last shouts and had made it to the living room by the time the angry girl left. She looked at Ezra and felt bad for him.

"Hey, she's just angry, she knows it's not your fault."

Ezra gave her an insincere smile. "I know. But she's gone now, let's just forget about it. So, what did you want to eat?"

Aria felt odd. Something had happened. Now the awkwardness wasn't about what Ezra had done or hadn't done to her. Now it was because of something he had done to Nicole. And Aria didn't know how that would unfold between them.