I'm not exactly sure why I felt compelled to write this chapter after months of claiming this story was 100% finished, but here it is.
There's a slight difference between my story and the TV show. In my story, no one ever learned about Ezra and Aria's romance while she was in high school.
A few weeks passed and Ezra and Aria settled comfortably into the reality that they'd be parents by spring. Ezra accompanied Aria to her first and second check up and cried each time he heard their baby's heartbeat fill the room.
Although these moments were perfect, they knew that come Christmas break when Aria returned home for the holidays and her friends returned eager to reconnect, their secret would be out and their happy life in this bubble could be ruined. At this point, Aria looked as if she'd been indulging a little too much in the nacho bar in the college cafeteria, but soon it would be obvious that the expansion of her abdomen had nothing at all to do with the normal Freshman 15. Aria had to tell people over Christmas break before anyone figured it out on their own.
Aria waited impatiently at The Grill. She found herself tapping her toe against the base of the table and checking the time on her phone every few seconds. She was nervous. Her friends were due to arrive any minute, and today was the day to apprise them of the situation.
As they slowly joined her at the table, each sensed that something was off about Aria. Between the toe tapping that still continued and the uncharacteristically baggy and unflattering sweater that she wore instead of her normal cute ensembles, they knew something was up.
"I have to tell you guys something. I can't wait any longer," she looked around at the table, and slowly began, "I've been dating someone since June, right after school let out. He's a bit older and you are going to think it's a little inappropriate, but I'm very happy and I want you to approve."
She looked around the table again. Her friends had set their faces in supportive smiles, but it was clear that her lead in was freaking them out a bit. Finally Aria let out a deep sigh and closing her eyes said, "I'm dating Mr. Fitz—Ezra."
A collective gasp could be heard around the table. Cautiously she opened her eyes. Her three friends each wore very distinctive facial expressions. Emily looked confused; Spencer looked turned on; Hanna looked jealous.
Spencer was the first to regain her composure enough to speak. She began, "So why are you telling us now?"
"I'm pregnant."
"What?" They all collectively shouted.
Aria quickly explained the situation, showed them the sonogram pictures and tried to keep everyone calm. This was easier said that done. Hanna wanted to know every single detail about "The Sex" as she called it. Emily wanted to make sure Mr. Fitz hadn't misused his power, and Spencer just kept muttering something about safe sex and condoms.
After a few minutes of this schizophrenic conversation, Aria couldn't take it anymore. "Don't you guys have anything to say about the baby? She does exist. She will be coming shortly. I need my friends to support me. I don't need you guys to talk about "The Sex", condoms, or my boyfriend forcing himself on me. I need you to focus on what's important. Can you do that?"
Hanna happily responded, "It's a girl?" Aria nodded sheepishly. She wasn't supposed to know. She and Ezra were planning on having a delivery surprise, but Aria just was never very fond of surprises. Hanna continued, "She's going to be the best dressed little girl Rosewood has ever seen. I'll make sure of that."
Aria couldn't help but laugh. Of course her unborn daughter already had her own fashion adviser.
Emily stated, "Aria, I'm very excited for you. It's just a lot to absorb."
Spencer continued, "Yeah, Aria. We didn't even know you were seeing anyone, and now, you are going to be a mom. God, Aria. We're 18. The most important thing I do in a day is go to class, and here you are, literally growing a human being."
"It's totally crazy, but I'm really excited or at least I will be once I get all these awkward conversations out of the way."
Now Hanna piped in, "Who do you still have to tell?"
Aria grew more uncomfortable as she thought about all the horrible conversations to come, "Well, my parents and my brother. How do I start those conversations? 'Hey Mom! Guess what I did!' I don't think so. I have no idea how I'm going to do it. I can't just walk into my house and tell them I'm knocked up."
Spencer, always the voice of reason, broke off Aria's rant, "Aria. It won't be that bad. You're parents are cool. They won't judge you. You just have to tell them."
Aria stated simply, "I just have to rip off the Band-Aid."
"Absolutely! Right now, however, we need to get you some new clothes, Aria. I'm not having my honorary niece stuck in a frumpy looking oven for the next few months. We've got to make you maternity chic." With that, Hanna threw a wad of cash on the table and dragged Aria through the door of The Grill.