ezria::forget me not

14

Forget Me Not

Chapter Fourteen.

"I love her

and that's the

beginning and end

to everything."

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

Alison

Marley and I arrived at Rosewood a little after three in the afternoon. When we got to my dad's house, his face lifted in a tight smile at Marley.

"Hi, Grandpa!" she smiled and ran to his arms as I put our suitcases on the floor mat.

"Hey Mar!" he hugged her tightly before freeing her so she could run into the family room to play with the toys my dad had set out.

"Hey, Dad." I muttered, forcing a smile and a distant hug.

"Alison. Nice to see you both." He smiled another tight smile and led me into the same room as Marley. I didn't need him to, though, because this was the house I grew up inside. I sat on the uncomfortable, white couch for an unbearable ten awkward minutes before standing and announcing I was heading out.

"I'll be back in a few..I'm gonna go to the store and pick up some ingredients for Christmas dinner. I'm cooking."

"I was hoping you would cook," my dad said sheepishly.

"Can you watch Marley while I'm gone?" He nodded and I threw my coat back on, practically running out the door. I drove down to the local Target and started my shopping there. By the time I had reached the end of the isles, it was almost dinner time. I sighed and headed towards the check out area. I wanted to prolong my trip to the store as long as possible, to avoid all questions about Ezra and where he was.

No matter the cost.

Ezra

Aria and I were walking through the Target that was just ten minutes away from the apartment. We had already gone out for breakfast with Hardy and Spencer and that was great...I didn't realize how much I was really missing out on when I moved to California. Especially Aria. God, I missed her and I was with her right now!

"What did you need again? Eggs?" she asked, turning towards me, she literally took my breath away. She smiled brilliantly at me and I took her hand firmly in mine, making sure I wouldn't lose her again.

"Yeah! And you're getting cake mix right? Cause, I'm kind of really craving chocolate cake!" She rolled her eyes at me and I laughed. It was so natural, our relationship, like it was meant to be. I could say anything to her, and I wouldn't be judged.

We were just making our way to the checkout line when we both stopped dead in our tracks.

Alison was standing right in front of us. All we could hear were the constant beeps of people checking out their groceries and other supplies. As soon as Aria saw her she tried to let go of my hand, but I wouldn't let her. I kept hold of it strongly, hoping to reassure her. We may be married, but Aria was my rock.

"Ezra?" Alison asked me as if she was in a dream, like it wasn't possible that I was in Rosewood with Aria.

"Alison.." I responded, keeping my face neutral.

"You didn't return any of my calls.." she was almost whining. She did it a lot. And I never bothered to notice until now.

"Like you needed to call him to know where he was!" Aria spoke up, looking Ali straight in the eyes.