Helllooo Everybody! This is what I think should happen in season 3B. Sorry for spelling errors, but i wrote this all at once and I couldn't handle reading again. But oh well! Enjoy! -Em

Ezra Fitz looked up from his book, mouth shaped like an "o" as he prepared to say something. But, when he looked up at his girlfriend Aria, who'd been sitting on the couch, the "o" faded and a grin spread across his face instead. She was slumped over, sound asleep, with her journal still in her lap.

Ezra chuckled, grabbing the stereo remote and muting the music. Then, indecisively stood and debated picking up Aria. He knew he could easily carry her, that was far from the problem. But, she'd been so stressed lately and he didn't want to wake her up.

Nevertheless, he quietly walked over to the couch and tucked his arms beneath her knees and shoulders. He cradled her into his warm body before gently raising her from the couch. Her journal spilled off of her lap, and landed with a loud crash onto the floor. Ezra flinched, hoping it wouldn't wake her.

When Aria didn't move or stir, he continued moving her to his bed. The sheets and blankets were already pulled back, (because he'd merely been too lazy to make it this morning), and he set Aria down into her spot.
She squirmed in her sleep until she subconsciously realized where she was, but then relaxed into the mattress. "Ezra..."She mumbled drowsily.

"Yes, baby?" Ezra, though still dressed climbed into the bed beside her, pulling her warm body into his arms."Everything is going to be okay." He whispered, pressing a kiss to her head.

She whimpered slightly. "I just-" Her words teetered, unsteady due to her tiredness and emotional state. He wiped away a tear that was sliding down her face. "I just don't want to lose you. Not to anyone."

Ezra swallowed, unaware of how to answer. He let his eyes close for a moment, trying to find the right words.

"I'm not going anywhere, baby. I know that Malcolm and Maggie are a lot to take in. But they aren't going to pull us apart. I love you. And that is never going to change."

"I love you too, Ezra." She rested her head against his chest, his heartbeat steadying her own and calming her down. She fell asleep not long after.

When Ezra woke up the next morning, he was surprised, and very much disappointed not to wake up with Aria's cuddly sleeping form in his arms. Instead he found solely a cool bed, in his fists clutched only a pillow. He sat up, realizing she must have woken up and went home, probably because of her irritatingly stern father. Ezra couldn't help but sniffle. He longed for the days they weren't so undeniably distant. How much simpler would life have been if Wes hadn't dragged that awful skeleton out of the closet? But then again, he had a child out there now. A biological, breathing, growing, talking, living, learning offspring. He couldn't let that poor child go through life thinking his daddy didn't care about him.

Conflicted, and oh so hurt, Ezra began to gnaw at his lip, trying to make some sort of decision. He decided, after a good hour, what he was going to do.

It was three o'clock, and Ezra sat in a booth seat at some homey diner in Philadelphia. He'd called Aria, who'd agreed that he needed to speak to Maggie. He had to see his son, at some point. He had to at least make an appearance in Malcolm's life, whether how big or small. Ezra had been in honest pain at the sound of Aria's voice on the other end of the phone when he'd called her. It had been hoarse with the pain and weight of the decision. Ezra promised her that when he came back from seeing her, things would get better. They could go to a movie or to dinner; they'd go on the most romantic date ever. But although she accepted it, he knew it was a faulty bribe; she'd sniffed before she hung up.

And so he'd reluctantly called Maggie. It had been the most awkward and uncomfortable conversation of his life, but they'd arranged to meet later that day at a restaurant to talk. Ezra didn't mention that he already knew about Malcolm, but decided to wait. Maybe she'd tell him the truth while there.

Ezra heard the chime of the bell over the door, and turned just in time to see a tall woman with a pixie cut stroll in. She looked nervously across the restaurant until she finally found him smiled sheepishly, and sat down into the booth. Sitting to face him, she laid down her purse and smiled again.

"Hi." Maggie said, looking very awkward indeed. "It's nice that you wanted to catch up."

"Actually that's not why I asked you to come here with me." Ezra answered, voice flat. " I wanted to talk to you about my mother. And the secret you decided to keep from me, all of these years."

Maggie gulped. "What?"

"I know that I have a son. But I don't know why you kept it from me."

Maggie knit her eyebrows in confused anger. "If I didn't your mother would never have paid me. How else was I supposed to look after him?"

"But now?! You're on your feet, you have a good job. Why not tell me now?"

"Because I-" Her words were undecided and stuttered. "Because-"

"I want to see him." Ezra said all at once.

"You can't see him."

"Why not? I'll pay child support! I'll buy him Christmas presents! Just let me-"

"Ezra." Maggie cut him off.

Tears were brimming in his eyes. "What?"

"You aren't his father."

Ezra just stared at her, completely numb from what she had just said. He couldn't quite comprehend anything. He didn't even remember his name. Blinking back the hot angry tears that wanted so badly to fall, he balled his fists up and asked very slowly, "What do you mean?"

Maggie grimaced. "Give me the time to explain it to you. Please Ezra."

"I'm giving you time."

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "When we were dating in high school, I wasn't exactly- faithful to you. There was one night when you and I got into a fight. I got really angry and well- cheated on you. I felt horrible when we made up. But not as worse as I felt when I found out I was pregnant. I just couldn't bring myself to tell you it wasn't your baby; so I just lied and pretended it was. Then your mother stepped in, and offered me so much money that I could pay to take care of Malcolm, and finish school. Plus, by leaving I'd never have to tell you. I never, ever felt good about it Ezra, but I needed the money, and needed to get away from you, for you. I never intended this to become such a mess. I also didn't mean to put your girlfriend on the spot like that. But it's what I had to do. I'm so, so sorry."

Ezra couldn't even begin to fathom how destroyed he felt. He felt like his heart was going to pop. Unable to look at Maggie for any longer, he stood up and grabbed his coat, nearly plowing into the poor waitress who was carrying his water. He muttered a dry 'sorry', then took off for his car, wanting nothing more than just to drive off into nothingness.

Maggie didn't even say goodbye.

Ezra sniffled one last time, deciding that he was finished with this obstacle. it was out of his hands now. He would go home, get Aria, and take her out to a movie-

Aria.

A lump formed in his throat and surprisingly enough he felt a bit better. This painful, tearing challenge was over. He could tell her that she didn't have to worry, and actually mean it this time. They could focus on something else. They could actually think about their relationship now. Aria could stop worrying.

Ezra breathed a sigh of bittersweet relief. He pulled out his cell phone, dialling her familiar number and brang the phone to his ear. She answered after only two rings.

"Baby?" Ezra asked gently, smiling at her silky voice. "How about we go on that date?"