Hold Me Close: An Ezria Story

Awake

Ezra's POV:

"She's going to be alright." I heard the doctor say. Aria's going to be okay. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as the doctor said those words.

"She had some internal bleeding from the stab wound, a minor gash on the back of her head that needed a few stitches, and a few bruised ribs. We were able to stop the bleeding, but if she had stayed in that condition any longer, we might not have been able to save her."

I looked at Spencer when he said that. Honestly I just wanted to hug her. She saved Aria's life. They all did.

"Aria's going to have to be very careful over the next few weeks, to ensure the bleeding won't start up again. She can't become too overworked or stressed. That can cause the bleeding to start again. If the bleeding starts again there's a very slim chance we'll be able to save her... I can take back family now to see her."

I watched as Aria's parents followed the doctor and disappeared down the hallway. I was getting so anxious to see her. I walked over to Aria's friends who were hugging and smiling. I gave a small smile back.

"Thank you... For not listening to me." I said, and I laughed a little. "You saved her."

Spencer smiled back at me.

"Spencer's known for not listening." Hanna said with a smirk.

We all walked back over to the waiting room and sat down, and I waited for the moment I could see the love of my life's beautiful face.

Aria's POV:

My eyes fluttered open to bright fluorescent lights and the sound of steady beeps. When my eyes got used to the light I saw my mom sitting in a chair next to me and my dad on the couch against the wall in front of me.

"Hey baby girl. How are you feeling?" My mom asked me as she grabbed my hand.

"Mmm okay." I said. To be honest I felt like crap. I had a pounding headache and every time I took a breath I felt like my lung was going to collapse.

"Do you remember what happened?" My dad asked as he stood up from the couch and walked over to the other side of my bed.

I remembered -A kidnapping me and hurting me. I remembered having a panic attack in Ezra's apartment. Ezra.

"Wh-where's Ezra..?" I asked them. I had to see him. I had to know he was ok.

"He's waiting outside with your friends baby. I don't think he should come in right now.." My mom said as she looked at my dad. My dad looked angry that I had even mentioned his name.

"Please mom... Please just let me see him. Please." I begged holding back tears. I needed him. I needed him to hold me and tell me things would be okay.

My mom looked from my dad to me and then back to my dad. She sighed. "I'll go and get him." She said as she stood up. I watched her walk to the door and I whispered a "Thank you." before she walked out. My dad just stared at me with sad, almost disappointed eyes. I broke away from his gaze. I just wanted to see Ezra.

Ezra's POV:

I was sitting in the waiting room chair impatiently tapping my foot. Were her parents even going to let me see her? I had to see her. Then I heard a voice from behind me. Ella's voice.

"Aria woke up. She's um... asking for you." Ella said as I stood up to face her.

I ran to Aria's room and through the door. There she was. Her face was banged up and she had a little cut above her eyebrow. But I had never seen anything more beautiful in my life. I stood admiring her for a split second, then I walked over and sat in the chair next to her bed. I grabbed her hand and she looked up at me and smiled.

"Hey." She said quietly as she smiled her adorable little smile.

"I love you so much Aria." I said with relief. I leaned in and kissed her not caring that her parents were standing ten feet away. She pulled away and cupped my check with her hand.

"I love you too." She whispered as she looked into my eyes. Her eyes started to fill up with tears and I wiped her cheek with my thumb as one escaped.

"I was so worried about you. I was so scared I was going to lose you." I said
as I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I love you." I said again. I was just so grateful to see her I didn't know what else to say.

I glanced over at her parents to see that Ella was crying and Byron was glaring at me. I didn't care. I was not leaving this room. I was gonna stay right by Aria's side the whole time. Aria noticed I was looking at them.

"Mom, dad, could we... maybe have a little time alone?" Aria asked. Her mom walked over and placed her hand on top of Aria's. Then she kissed her forehead.

"Sure sweetie." Ella said. She walked towards the door and Byron walked out, obviously upset. "But no funny business." Ella chirped before leaving the room.

As soon as they were gone I kissed her again. This time with a lot more passion. She ran her hands through my hair as I held her face in my hands. I pulled away and looked into her beautiful hazel eyes. "I love you." I said to her. She looked up at me and smirked.

"Ezra, you've told me that like three times in the last five minutes." She giggled as I played with a piece of her hair.

"I know. I am just so happy you're okay." I said as I kissed her forehead. "You should try and get some more rest." She nodded and closed her eyes. She opened them a second later.

"Will you lay with me?" Aria asked me. She sounded so broken.

"Of course." I said as I walked around to the other side of the bed and laid down next to her. I wrapped my arm around her and she flinched. "Sorry... Did I hurt you..?" I asked a little panicked.

"No... I just moved wrong and it kinda hurt my side. I'm okay." She said, already falling asleep.

I traced circles on her back until I knew she was asleep, then I dozed off laying next to the love of my life, just grateful she was alive and safe.