winter wonderland

chapter 21

"Can you stop this? He's taking her on the 1st. I don't know if we can do anything," Mike said honestly as he quickly wiped a tear from his cheek.

"She's my child too; I have rights. I may not be able to get out of this bed, but I'll find a way Mike," Ella said as she pushed herself up a little, yelping slightly as she remembered the amount of pain she was in as Mike edged suddenly towards her to try and help.

Ella reached for the phone and dialled her apartment.

"Byron, don't you DARE take her out of this country; do you understand me?"

"I'll do whatever I want, Ella. She deliberately went behind my back," Byron screamed.

"Has it ever occurred to you that you're absolutely irrational?" Ella retorted as Byron huffed into the phone.

"It's already all arranged. We're leaving day after tomorrow." Byron said sternly.

"Where are you going? What's the address?" Ella desperately asked. She couldn't get out of the hospital bed to stop this. She had to find another way to stop this. Or at least, find Aria when Byron took her away.

"Yeah, like I'm telling you that," Byron responded abruptly.

"BYRON, I can get you in trouble for this. Don't you DARE take her anywhere. Legally, you're not allowed to take her away from me without at least telling me where you're both going. Get a good lawyer, Byron," Ella shouted as she slammed down the corded hospital phone with a thud.

Ella jumped slightly at the bang from the plastic phone, as her hands began to shake uncontrollably as she looked down at them.

"Mike, Mike; get the nurse," Ella said as her voice went to immediate panic.

Mike ran from the room as Ella ran her hands over her face, before shaking her hands out while taking deep breaths. It was a panic attack. Ella hadn't suffered from one until now.

Aria struggled with the lipstick in her hands. It was 6pm New Year's Eve, and Ezra and her were getting ready to go to the party on the roof of Ezra's apartment.

"Shit," she let out as she fiddled with the lipstick, attempting to twist the base of it, to get more of the lipstick. Her emotions were getting the better of her, as she let out a soft sob as she continued to struggle, before the lipstick fell into the bathroom sick and she let out a louder sob.

Ezra came running to the open bathroom door to see Aria, leaning both hands on the sink of the bathroom. She was already dressed in a flawless formal dress, her hair already done. Her face wore her fresh tears down her cheeks, as Ezra semi sprinted the few steps to get to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his hands on her stomach protectively as he kissed her neck.

He slowly smiled as he looked at them both in the mirror. He was still in shock at how lucky he was to have her; though the true nature of his luck was shining through, as she was being taken away from him.

His eyes met hers in the mirror as his eyes sparkled at hers. With her in his arms, he was the luckiest man in the world. He'd never not be grateful for when she was near. And the same went for her.

"Aria, you look so beautiful. You don't need make up," he said as he kissed her cheek.

"Thanks," Aria said though a crumpled smile, "But this is the last time," she said as she turned around and clasped her hands in his, "we're seeing each other for God knows how long. I need you to have some photos of us now, so you will remember me," she choked, "while I'm not here."

"Please don't talk like that, Aria. I'm going to find you. I'm going to find my family," he said firmly, enough to reassure Aria and himself as she smiled very softly. She knew Byron. They both did; and it wasn't going to be easy for Ezra to find her.