winter wonderland

chapter 20

"My God, you're perfect," she said as she leaned forward and kiss him, before curling into his arms as the book fell next to them on the bed. Aria ran her fingers through his hair as he supported her with one arm around her waist; his hand of the other arm was delicately under her chin, his thumb delicately stroking her cheek. "So," Aria said breaking away in a haze; "I bought you a book too, which you will love; but can we just keep doing this?" Aria asked as Ezra nodded with a soft smile, without hesitation, as he softly brushed her lips with his, before kissing her deeply. They fell back on the bed, as their hands started running down each other's torsos again; leading them back to a world that was only their own.

The days following Christmas consisted of Aria helping Ella at her physical therapy session and sneaking away from Byron to 'visit Ella/ spend the night with Ella', but instead spending endless hours and many nights with Ezra at his apartment. Ella was having a difficult time with the exercises, but that was to be expected due to her injuries; she, Aria and the doctors knew it was going to be a long process, but one worth it ultimately.

Ezra and Aria's life was developing more and more like the fairy tale every day. They had stayed in bed this morning, doona rumpled around them as they snuggled in toward each other, reading peacefully. Occasionally, Ezra would lift his eyes from his book and brush a small amount of hair on Aria's head before kissing it softly, then returning to his book. Aria in turn would occasionally lay small kisses on his cheek, or neck, or arms in between her reading; both of them perfectly happy and content.

Tomorrow was New Year's Eve; plans had been made by Ezra and Aria to go back to the rooftop of the apartment building where there was going to be a party held by the residents. The clear windows of the rooftop area overlooked miles beyond and were bound to bring them the delights of fireworks from somewhere nearby; or at very least, a beautiful starry and snowy night's sky.

Aria looked up from her book at Ezra, whose complete attention was in the passage he was reading. Aria lifted herself up from his side and put her face between his face and the book he was reading; kissing his lips tenderly before he knew what was even happening. He quickly registered though, and the hand of his that wasn't holding the book went to run fingers through her hairs as their kiss grew more passionate. He put the book beside him and supported her back as she sat on his lap; their hands clasping each other's faces briefly before continuing to kiss each other.

"Are you sure you have to go?" Ezra asked sadly as he stood near the door in just his pyjama bottoms, watching Aria swing her handbag over her shoulder ready to go.

Aria gave a flat smile with sad eyes, "Byron's expecting me. He'll come looking for me if I'm not on time. I don't want him to become suspicious. I'm sorry though," she said as she placed a hand on Ezra's arm and kissed his lips softly before she left.

"I'll be back again tomorrow," she said as she turned to open the door. As she did, Ezra sharply pushed the door shut and pushed her against the door with a slight element of force, kissing her lips as her hands went to his cheeks. They stayed there for a few minutes, smiling and giggling between kisses before Aria finally turned to open the door, "bye" she said with a soft smile, as Ezra gently closed the door behind her. He smiled to himself sadly as he went and sat on his leather couch then put his legs up. He wanted so desperately to have her stay. He hoped that soon she could move in with him; life was perfect when she was with him.

"How was Ella?" Byron asked as Aria got back to Ella's. Aria quickly looked at Mike whose face was distraught, before she turned to Byron.

"She's doing better," Aria responded as she walked toward her bedroom and dumped her handbag and jacket on her desk. She heard footsteps immediately behind her and she turned around confused.