Chapter 20-

I can't believe we're at chapter 20! This is insane!

Yes, I do realize that Zoey and her friends act way more mature than your average 2nd grader. I just felt like this story wouldn't be as interesting if she were acting her age. So just in your own minds, accept their behaviors because I can't and don't want to change them this far into the story.

Now, I've gotten opinions from many of you and all of you said you approved: I plan on closing off the Ezria part of this story the way I had originally planned and then begin with a "10 years later" continuation. The "10 years later" will revolve mainly around Zoey but it will contain POVs from Aria and Ezra. Also, the storyline that I plan to follow includes them. So don't fear my dear readers! There will be more Ezria loveliness to come! The continuation will include characters new and old, and the children of characters in the show that I have not made appearances in Deja Vu… yet.

If you would, please leave a detailed response voicing your opinions Thanks, I'm really excited for what's to come!

Previously on Déjà vu:

He turned to me and smiled. "Hi, I'm Jake."

…

The next day in school, the same thing happened. Jake sat with us at lunch, asked me a question, and then ran back to his friends. On Thursday, the fourth day of this nonsense, I put my foot down.

…

Jake didn't actually want to be my friend. He had been playing me all this time. To think, I even thought I might like him. I hate him. Who would ever use someone like that? Just to find out if Mr. Fitz was my dad. Why did he even care? Why couldn't he just ask me? Why? I thought we were friends…

I sat there on the floor until I heard all their footsteps fade away. Until no one was left to hear me cry.

Zoey POV:

I spent the rest of the day silently. I didn't raise my hand in class, didn't offer to hand out worksheets, and when Sarah asked me what was wrong I just shook my head. I could have told her about Jake and his friends, considering she already knew about my dad, but I was too upset to tell the whole tale. Jake managed to give up his "after lunch ignorance method" and said goodbye at the end of the day. I just walked straight past him. Not. In. The. Mood.

I made it safely to the end of the hall, alone, when I was stopped. "Hey, Zoe, why are you mad at me?"

"Don't call me that."

He ignored me, "You came into class all teary- eyed and upset. Tell me what's wrong."

I didn't even look up at him as I walked away towards the exit. Unfortunately he ran after me again. He put his hand on my shoulder, but I shrugged it off. "Zoey, we're friends. You can tell me what it is."

"We are not friends, Jake."

"Yes we are. And I can prove it."

I just stood there, not even prompting him to continue.

"When you left lunch today, you looked upset. So I followed you, so I could cheer you up. I couldn't find you, though." He flashed me an "it's-the-thought-that-counts-smile".

I knew he was lying because I wasn't upset when I left the cafeteria. I was upset when I came back. "I know you came to find me, Jake."

He looked a bit nervous, "See, I didn't lie."

"Yeah, you did." I quickly gained confidence, "I heard you and your friends talking about me. How you used me and pretended to be my friend because you wanted to know who my dad is."

I guess he realized he couldn't lie anymore so he backpedaled, "Zoey, I swear. I'm so sorry. They made me do it. I really like hanging out with you. That part wasn't a lie."

"Jake, I really don't care what you have to say to me anymore. You lied to me, and snuck around trying to figure out who my Dad is. If it was so important to you and your little buddies, why didn't you just ask?"

He stopped and I knew I had won, "I don't know. I'm sorry, forgive me?"

"It will take way more than an apology for my forgiveness." And then, I did what Jake is most famous for. I walked away.

I pondered telling my parents what had happened in school today, but it wouldn't be fair to them. I shouldn't be the one to force when they decide to go public. I get it. They want privacy. But still, if students start whispering and the principal hears about it, it would look like they were trying to hide their relationship. It would appear as if there was something bigger going on here.

"Mom? Can I talk to you?" I asked her after school.

"Sure, sweets, what's up?"

"Remember that boy, Jake, I was telling you about?"

She smiled, "The one that likes you?" I began to cry. I had let myself believe that he might have liked me and I found out he didn't even want to be my friend. "Zoey, what happened? I'm sorry. I won't make that joke again."

I told her the story. About Jake. About his friends. And about Dad.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," She whispered into my ear, teary eyed. "I'll talk to your Dad about it. We'll tell the principal and the whole town. Don't you shed one more tear, love."

"I never wanted to force you and Dad into this…" I trailed off as I wiped my wet eyes.

"No. Don't think like that. We were going to have to do it sooner or later anyway."

Aria POV: (did you miss her?)

I paced outside our bedroom a thousand times before entering. Ezra was sitting on the bed with his glasses on, typing furiously on his laptop.

"Ezra, I have to tell you something."

He looked up at me with a frightened expression. I laughed quietly and came to sit on the edge of the bed. I told him the story Zoey had told me.

"I'm going to kill that kid the next time I see him." Ezra fumed.

"Ezra, you can't do that. They were suspicious from the start. We will go tell the principal tomorrow. She can't do anything to hurt us." He was avoiding my gaze so I lifted his chin with my fingertips. I looked him straight in the eye, "We had to do it sooner or later. I pick sooner." I kissed him lightly.

"Why do they even care that much? I don't get it." He sighed, "Why can't they just leave our baby girl alone?"

"I don't know," I whispered. "But one things for sure, after tomorrow, they will never bother her again."

Ezra POV:

The next morning, I quickly slipped on my work outfit and I watched Aria try on 50 different suits.

"Trying to make an impression on Mrs. Handson, huh?" I laughed.

"I just want to make it look like we are respectable, capable adults. We don't need her to tell us how to proceed from here."

"She's just an elementary school principal," I said, coming up from behind her and kissing her neck. "She is not that powerful."

Aria sighed, "Well, I never thought my Dad was that powerful either. And look what he did to stir up things in our family."

I smiled at the word family, and then shuddered at the memory of her father. Luckily, things were calming down around here. "Don't worry, Aria. I will not let her… or anyone hurt us."

Before school, the next morning, Aria walked besides me to Mrs. Handson's office. Luckily, it was still early so we didn't have to deal with the curious eyes of students and faculty. We'd have to deal with plenty of that later.

Aria knocked timidly on the wooden door and we heard Mrs. Handson's soft voice on the other side. "Come on in," she called.

We opened the door and stepped inside. I watched Mrs. Handson's old eyes go from the "regular- morning- schedule" gaze to complete surprise as she looked between Aria and I.

"Well, hello Ezra." She began, "And you must be Miss Montgomery." I could tell she was trying to remain calm and not jump to conclusions. I appreciated that.

"Hello, Mrs. Handson," Aria said as she walked towards her to shake her hand.

"Please, come. Have a seat." The principal motioned to the two chairs opposite her desk. Aria and I took our seats and looked at each other awkwardly. I didn't know where to begin, and luckily, Mrs. Handson took control. "What seems to be the issue? Are you having problems with Zoey in class? But, I recall… she switched out." Her statement lingered in the air.

"Well, actually…" I paused. How do I explain Aria? My wife? But she's not. My girlfriend? "This is about Zoey, but not like that."

"Alright," Mrs. Handson commented.

Aria came to the rescue, "What Ezra istrying to say here is that, the three of us aren't have problems. Zoey and Ezra have a great relationship."

"Yeah," I muttered.

"And, I'm sorry Mrs. Handson for surprising you like this, but… Zoey is our daughter."

Mrs. Handson looked at me with wide eyes, "Zoey, she is your child?"

I gulped audibly, "Yes."

"Uh, huh." The principal said in deep thought. After the longest minute, che continued, "Well I guess that explains why she was suddenly switched out of your class."

"Yes. Mrs. Handson, we never meant to lie to you. In fact, I had no idea Zoey would be in my class until the first day of school. It was all very surprising to us too."

Mrs. Handson took a moment to process all that was said. "So, Aria," She said turning to her, "Ezra is your husband?"

Aria looked uncomfortable and said, "Of course not!" all too quickly.

"Mrs. Handson, we are not looking to make a big deal out of any of this, we just didn't want to make it seem as if we might be hiding something. We've just laid all our cards on the table. Before we go public, we just wanted to alert you and other important people in our lives."

"Well, I am certainly delighted to hear that you have a girlfriend." Mrs. Handson said with a wink to me. "A few of the staff members thought you were gay," She laughed, "But I must warn you, this may be a bit hard on Zoey. All of her classmates will look between you and her with knowing expressions. Just make sure she is prepared for that kind of attention."

Zoey POV:

Everyone knows. Everyone. Teachers, students, custodians… But no one is making fun of me for it. Why? I thought at least Jake would say something. But he never did. No snide remarks or snickering behind my back. I thought they would love to torture me with their newfound knowledge but they didn't. Of course, people are giving me quick glances in the hall, as if they were trying to see if I resembled my dad (which, last I heard, I do) but that's it.

"Miss Fitz, please answer the question." I snapped back into reality and looked up at my teacher.

"It's Montgomery."

Mrs. Rosemary's harsh exterior quickly washed away, "Right. I'm sorry, sweetheart. I forget sometimes." And then, she turned away from me quickly to avoid me seeing her blush. So, I guess I was wrong. People are making slipups. Maybe I'm just too oblivious to notice.

I was about to zone out again when a note flew up from behind me and landed right in the center of my desk.

I heard about your Dad. Sorry I was the one to make them come out.

-Jake

I didn't write back to him, or turn around. I didn't zone out either. I just picked up my pencil and began my worksheet.

Aria and Ezra are officially PUBLIC! Thoughts?

I gave previews to everyone who reviewed except for those who had disabled the PM feature. Review again for the same privilege and don't forget to express your opinions about the A/N at the top!

XOOXOXOXOOX,

Danni