Chapter 7:

Ezra was just pulling out of the Hollis parking lot when he received a phone call from Aria.

"Hey babe." Ezra said.

"Hey, when are you coming home?" Aria asked. Ezra could sense something off in her voice.

"I'm just leaving Hollis, I'll be home in 15 minutes. Are you okay?" he asked.

"We need to talk." she replied. "I'm at Spencer's, can you pick me up?"

"Okay, I'll be there soon." Ezra replied, worried. He hoped the baby growing inside of her hadn't caused her any harm, like the father had. Aria still hadn't decided what she wanted to do with the baby, but Ezra was hoping she would come to a decision soon, not that he was going to pressure her in any way because she already had enough to deal with. He really wasn't sure he was ready to hear her response, considering he might have to help raise a child who's father had caused his love so much pain. But, if that was what Aria wanted, he would find a way to deal with it. He had to, for Aria's sake.

*PLL*

"Aria, it's okay. Whatever decision you make, you have us." Spencer said, rubbing Aria's back as her friend cried. Emily and Hanna nodded in agreement.

"And you still have Ezra too." Emily reminded her.

"Ezra?! I already feel bad enough to be burdening him with this, I don't even know how he'll react if I keep the baby." Aria wailed. "I just, I feel like there's no way out of this. Whatever happens, whether I keep the baby or not, I lose. If I abort it, I'll be going against what I believe in, and I'll never be able to forgive myself for killing an innocent child. And if I keep it, I'll have a constant reminder of what...what happened to me."

"Aria, Ezra loves you. He'll stick by you no matter what, I can say that for a fact." Hanna said. "You can tell just by the way he looks at you that he would do anything for you, including sharing this burden. And, I'm not trying to pressure you or anything, but you need to make a decision sooner or later about this baby, or else it might be too late." she said.

Aria was silent for a moment, before sighing. "You're right. I need to make a decision, but before I do, I really need to talk to Ezra. I'm gonna go, he's probably on his way home from work."

"Do you need a ride?" Spencer asked.

Aria shook her head. "No, I'll just ask Ezra to pick me up." she said, before giving each girl a hug, and leaving, her cell phone out.

*PLL*

"Hey." Ezra said, giving Aria a quick peck on the lips before opening her car door for her.

"Hey." Aria replied.

"How was Spencer's?" Ezra asked once he was seated in the car.

Aria shrugged. "Fine."

The rest of the car ride passed in an uncomfortable silence. When they reached the apartment, Ezra opened Aria's door for her, and they both went up to apartment 3B. As soon as the door was shut, Ezra turned to Aria.

"So what did you want to talk about?" Ezra asked, pretty sure he knew exactly what she wanted to talk about.

Aria sighed. "I wanted to talk to you before I made my decision."

Ezra nodded. "Okay." he said, guiding Aria to the couch, where they sat down next to each other, Ezra's arm around Aria's waist. He waited for her to begin.

Aria avoided his eyes when she said. "I want to know how you honestly feel about this. Don't try to hold back because you don't want me to be upset or feel pressured or anything like that. I want the truth. Can you do that for me?"

Ezra nodded. "Okay."

"Okay, so tell me. How do you feel about an abortion?" Aria asked.

Ezra hesitated for a moment.

"Ezra..." Aria started.

"I know, I just need to collect my thoughts for a minute. I'll be honest." Ezra promised.

Aria nodded and waited.

"I think...I don't...I'm not a big fan of abortion in general because it's basically killing an innocent child, but if you do get an abortion, it's understandable because of your...situation." he said, trying to be honest yet supportive at the same time.

Aria nodded. "Okay, and...how would you feel if I kept the baby?" she asked.

Ezra sighed. "Honestly, if you keep the baby, I will stand by you. I'll be there every step of the way, that's a promise." he hesitated. "But, I don't know how I would feel about the baby, not just because it will be yours and not mine, but because of what his father did to you." Ezra noticed Aria wince at the last part and he immediately felt bad. "I'm sorry, I-"

"No, it's okay. You didn't do it intentionally." Aria said, trying not to show how bothered she was by it.

Ezra stroked her hair, silent for a moment. Then he asked "Have you considered adoption?"

Aria nodded. "It crossed my mind, but after hearing how horrible adoption can be from Caleb, I don't want to subject a child to that."

Ezra nodded, then asked "How do you feel about abortion or keeping the baby?"

Aria sighed. "Honestly, I don't want to get an abortion because I know I won't be able to live with myself knowing that I killed an innocent child. But, at the same time, I worry that I won't love my child if I keep it. I mean, what if I'm not a good mother?"

Ezra tiled Aria's head up to look at him. "Hey, any child would be lucky to be able to call you mommy." he said.

Aria smiled slightly, running her fingers absently through Ezra's soft brown hair. "Thanks."

Ezra responded by pulling her into his chest. Aria leaned against him, closing her eyes as she thought of how to say what she was thinking.

"Ezra?"

"Yes?"

"I think I know what I want to do. But, I just want you to know, that if at any moment you want to back out of this, I'm not going to pressure you to carry the weight of my decision." Aria said.

Ezra pulled away slightly so he could look int her eyes. "Aria, I'm not leaving you no matter what. I'll always be by your side, no matter what you choose." he promised.

Aria looked into his deep blue eyes, her own hazel ones filling with tears. "I think I want to keep the baby."

Hey y'all! Sorry for the long wait. School has been hectic. Hope you like the chapter. Don't forget to review :)