Sorry this chapter is like a day late. Lol forgot when I had last updated! I think ya'll are really gonna love this chapter! We get some special moments in this one but I won't say who with! Don't forget to review!

Amanda

Chapter Ten: Home

Two days later I'm still numb. Numb from the shocking revelation that collided with my already shaken world, numb with the realization of the decision I have to make, for Ezra, for me, for our family. I climb out from under the cream-colored covers of my bed which has been my safe haven for the past forty-eight hours. I hear Ella downstairs, playing with the kids. I glance at the clock, it's half past four. Ezra will be home soon. I decide a shower is in order since I can't exactly remember the last time I took one, and it will make the time waiting for Ezra to get home go by far quicker. I savor the water, letting it flow soothingly down my body for several minutes after washing myself, before I finally get out.

Ella is cooking dinner when I come downstairs.

"Yum, I smell Mimi's homemade spaghetti." I sniff approvingly when I reach the kitchen.

"Look who's awake!" Ella says happily.

Ben and Lila hop down from their stools on either side of my mom, running eagerly toward me. I scoop them both up in my arms and kiss their heads.

"Hello babies, are you two helping Mimi cook?"

"Yeah! Mimi is making pa-sketti!" Lila tells me, hugging me closely around the neck.

"It smells yummy huh Mommy?" Ben asks, skipping off to his stool again.

"It sure does." I stand with Lila and sit down on a bar stool at the counter, huddled close with my baby girl. "Where is Brennen at mom?"

"In the living room napping."

"How long has he been down for?"

Ella glances at the clock. "Oh, about an hour now."

I nod. "Good."

"Mom, I'll finish dinner if you want to go home. You've been here all day taking care of the kids and cleaning, you shouldn't have to cook too."

"Relax, I miss this." Ella smiles. "Why don't you go wake Brennen up so he'll actually sleep tonight?"

"Alright. Come on Lila-pie, let's go get your brother." I set Lila down on the floor, her hand clasped in mine; she swings our hands back and forth as we walk into the living room.

"Brennen," I coo, peeking over the edge of the pack and play. I gently lift him, still sleeping, into my arms and carry him back into the kitchen, Lila at my heels. Brennen stirs when the front door suddenly opens.

"Daddy, Daddy!" Lila and Ben shout, running to the door to greet Ezra. He scoops them both up in his arms as I did and swings them around.

"I missed you two today." He says, planting kisses on their cheeks.

"We missed you too, daddy." Lila squeals as Ezra rubs his nose against her ear, tickling her.

"I'm going to go change my clothes and then we can play a bit before dinner okay?"

"Okay!" The twins grin as Ezra sets them down. They run off into the living room to get their toys ready.

"How are you?" Ezra asks me quietly, tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear and bringing my chin up so he can kiss me on the lips.

"Better I think." I reply, kissing him again.

"Have you made a decision yet?" He wonders, whispering in my ear so that Ella doesn't hear. We decided not to tell anyone about Ezra's son until we had made our decision first.

"Yes." I whisper back. "I'll tell you after dinner."

"Okay." Ezra kisses my head then scoops Brennen up in his arms for a moment before going off to change his clothes.

"Oh! I almost forgot." Ella says, startling me. I spin around to face her. "Mike wants you to call him. He's been worried about you and wishes he could come home from college for a few days to see you."

I smile. "I'll go call him right now."

"He'll be happy to hear from you." Ella smiles, stirring the spaghetti sauce in the pan.

I carry Brennen into the living room and set him down in his play pen, handing him some toys. I pull my phone out from my pocket, where I stuffed it after my shower, and dial Mike's number. I hear his familiar voice after the second ring.

"Aria!"

"Hey little bro. Mom told me you wanted me to call you."

"Yeah, how have you been? I heard the last couple of days have been kind of hard."

"I wasn't in a good place the past couple of days, but I'm doing better now."

"Are you sure you're okay? I'm really worried about my big sis."

I nod my head even though he can't see, "Yes, I'm okay."

"I wish I could come down and visit but my schedule is so crazy. I don't think I would be able to take time off from work and my homework load has been intense this semester."

"No, no. Don't take any time off from school and work; you are there to get your degree. I promise I'm fine, it's nothing that you need to come home for."

Mike sighs on the other line, sounding as though he should ignore my pleas and come visit anyway. "How are my favorite niece and nephews?"

"Growing, you should see how big Ben is getting. He swears his is able to take you down in arm wrestling now." I laugh softly. Mike laughs as well.

"I miss them so much. Hey, I've got to go. But thank you for calling, I've been wanting to hear from you for a while now."

"You're welcome."

"Don't be a stranger sis, call me anytime kay?"

"Same too you bro."

Mike laughs. "Take care of yourself."

"I will."

"Talk to you later sis."

"Bye Mike." I bid him goodbye, then hang up the phone. I look up to notice Ezra is playing with the kids on the floor: I didn't even notice him come back downstairs. He has Brennen sitting up against him as he lies on his side, talking animatedly in a silly voice while he moves one of Lila's little ponies around the floor. I escape into the kitchen to help Ella with dinner. She is just finishing up cutting garlic bread into pieces when I walk in, so I decide to set the table and toss the salad.

"When are you going to tell me what's been going on the past couple of days?" Ella pries as I set glasses on table.

"Ezra and I will share once we've talked about it a little bit more. It's something that he ultimately left up to my decision and we still need to talk about the decision I've made in regards if this would be a step that I'm ready to take."

Ella looks at me questionably, "Is this something you can handle in your state? Obviously this is something huge if it caused you to become bed ridden for two days."

"The revelation was what was huge for me. It was unexpected and I just needed some time to deal with the feelings that came with it."

"Aria, are you pregnant?" Ella asks, taking my arms in her hands, concern written on her face.

"No, but would it be so bad if I was?"

She turns away from me, as if she is ashamed of what I've just said.

"Dinner is ready." Ella calls out to Ezra, leaving my unanswered question hanging in midair. As I set the bowl of salad on the table I realize her worry. For her, seeing me dealing with my illness and the fact that I could potentially have to deal with a pregnancy and newborn during all of this would be a cause for great concern. But I suddenly remind myself that my decision about Ezra's son could have the same impact on me as well.

After helping Ella clear the table after dinner, she offered to keep the kids entertained for a while longer so Ezra and I could talk. Ezra holds my hand as he leads me upstairs to our bedroom. Nerves run through my body, cold as ice. I'm suddenly worried if the decision I've made is the right one, or the wrong one. Ezra sits me down beside him on the bed, my hand still clasped in his.

"Remember, whatever decision you've made about Wyatt, I will support it completely." He assures me.

"When does he get released from the hospital?" I ask.

"His doctor said a few more days and he should be able to be discharged."

"Can I go meet him?"

Ezra nods his head, a small smile plays across his lips. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

I nod my head this time. "He is your son Ezra. We can't just let him go to an orphanage when he already has a family."

Ezra pulls me into him, kissing my head before trailing his lips down the side of my face until they meet with my lips. His lips are warm on mine, full of passion and admiration. I wrap my arms around him, trying not to get lost in the moment, but it's too late. When Ezra finally pulls away we are both gasping for breath.

"Thank you." I breathe, "For letting me make this decision."

"You're welcome." Ezra smiles, and his lips are on mine again as he pushes me down onto the bed.

Who else loved that Mike/Aria moment! I sure did when I was writing it! He is very concerned for Aria. And we also got some more Ezria fluff! I hope ya'll enjoyed it! Please review! It only takes a few seconds!