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Chapter Twenty One
"Hey," Ezra said when he walked into the kitchen. "What're you doing up?"
Aria turned at the sound of her fiancés voice. "I was hungry," she replied her voice still hoarse, "So thought I'd make myself some toast."
Ezra walked over to her and kissed the top of her head. "You know if you'd waited for five minutes I could've made it for you."
"I haven't been outside the bedroom since Monday afternoon I needed a change of scenery."
Ezra chuckled, "Are you feeling better?"
"A little," Aria replied. "I have an appetite that's a good sign right?"
Ezra nodded and switched the coffee maker on, "It is but I'm guessing that you're not up for coffee just yet?"
Aria scrunched up her nose and shook her head, "I don't think I could stomach coffee at the moment," she chuckled. "That's something I never thought I would say."
Aria's toast popped out of the toaster, she grabbed both slices and took a bite from one.
"Do you want me to make you a drink?" Ezra asked as Aria sat down at the kitchen table.
"Please," she nodded," Some lemon and honey."
Ezra busied himself with making Aria's drink, he was debating whether he should bring up what Aria had said to him the previous night or whether he should wait until she said something. He knew that there was a chance she might not even remember saying it, he'd just added the honey when Aria spoke. "I meant what I said last night…"
Ezra turned around unable to hide the smile on his face, "You'll move in?"
Aria nodded, "Yeah, you're right it makes sense and Daisy is really content here, she has her own room and a lot more space to play in than she does in my apartment," she smiled, "And I like it here too."
Ezra picked up the mug containing Aria's drink and walked over to her; he placed the mug down on the table next to her and knelt down on the floor in front of her.
"I'm so happy you've said yes, I've loved having you both here these past few days even if you have been sick for half of them." Ezra chuckled and kissed Aria's forehead, "We'll wait till you're feeling better and get started. How long do you have left on your lease?"
"A year," Aria replied, "But I may have an idea. Hanna and Caleb are still looking for a place and I thought they could sublet from me."
"Do you think they'd be interested?" Ezra asked.
Aria nodded, "I think so, I know they've looked at a few apartments nearby. If not I'll just make enquiries about getting out of the lease early." She lifted the mug up from the table and was just about to take a sip when she started coughing.
Ezra frowned, "I don't think you should be out of bed yet."
Once the coughing had subsided Aria shook her head, "I hate being so helpless."
"I'll tell you what," Ezra replied, "Why don't you go into the living room and get settled on the couch and I'll bring in some pillows and a blanket? You'll soon go back to bed as soon as you realise how boring I am."
Aria smiled, "I already know how boring you are and yet I love you anyway."
Ezra shook his head, "You," he replied pointing to the door. "Couch now."
Aria raised her hand to her head in a salute and with Ezra's help she slowly stood up.
"Take your drink," Ezra said, "And I'll bring the pillows and blankets in."
Ezra followed Aria out of the kitchen and went into their bedroom; he grabbed a blanket and some spare pillows out of the closet and reached into the pocket of the jeans he'd taken off the night before for Aria's phone. He'd hoped to delay telling Aria about what Jackie had said until after he'd taken Daisy to school but as she was awake he knew he couldn't hold off any longer. He nervously licked his lips and walked towards the living room.
"Here you go," he said as he placed the pillow behind Aria's back and the blanket across her legs. He took a deep breath, "Jackie sent you a message yesterday about work," he took yet another deep breath. "She wanted you to go to a meeting in her place."
Aria looked up at him, "When?"
"Yesterday," he replied nervously.
Aria's eyes widened, "Did you tell her I was too sick?"
Ezra shook his head, "No because she said in her text that she didn't care if you were still sick. I spoke to Rachel and she told me that Jackie had phoned her and said she was sick and she agreed to go instead."
Aria nodded, "Is that all Jackie said?"
"No," Ezra replied truthfully, "She said if you didn't go that you were fired."
Aria opened her mouth to speak but found that she couldn't, how could Ezra only just be telling her now that she might be fired?
Ezra sat down next to her, "I didn't tell you because I knew you'd want to go and you're too sick."
"Ezra," Aria replied finding her voice. "That's not your decision to make."
"I felt that it was the only decision. I didn't want to get a phone call saying that you'd collapsed and were in the hospital let's not forget that when I got home yesterday morning you were kneeling in front of the toilet," he handed Aria her phone. "You have a missed call and text from Rachel and a text from Jackie. I don't know what they say."
Aria nodded and stared numbly at her phone, she was furious with Ezra for risking her job but she could also see why he'd done it and she knew if she'd been faced with a similar situation she probably would've done the same thing. Ezra's only concern had been for her health and she couldn't blame him for being worried about her. Aria knew he was right it was obvious that she was too ill to be in work, however she still thought that Ezra should have told her yesterday when he came back and give her the opportunity to speak to Jackie then. With shaking fingers Aria unlocked her phone and opened up her text messages, she figured it was probably wiser to see what Jackie had to say first.
- Aria you got Rachel to go to the Reynolds meeting for you? I asked YOU to go. I also said that if you didn't you were fired. So you are FIRED. You can collect any belongings whenever you can be bothered.
"I'm fired," Aria stammered, "She actually fired me."
"She can't," Ezra replied reaching out to take one of Aria's hands in his own. "She's not the owner of the company and she can't fire you for being sick."
"She's firing me for not meeting with a client."
"Rachel attended the meeting in your place because you were too sick to go. You're still too sick to go to work Aria. Jackie can't send you home one day yet expect you to be fit and well to meet clients the next, she's abusing her position and I'm sure that if you speak to Mr Malone…"
"Jackie will twist things," Aria replied her eyes filling with tears. "She's manipulative."
Ezra nodded, "I know she is which is why I think you need to explain things to Mr Malone and then when you've told him your side of the story I think you should quit."
"Quit?" Aria asked.
"Yes," Ezra replied. "I know that working in publishing isn't what you want to do. I know you took the job because you wanted to support Daisy on your own without any help. I also think that you have a lot more to offer and that you don't deserve to be treated like crap by someone like Jackie."
"But what would I do?"
"I thought maybe you could go back to school?" Ezra suggested. "You could get your masters and become a teacher like you intended."
"Yeah but that was before…"
"Before Daisy?" Ezra interrupted. "Aria I understand that your plans had to change when you got pregnant but I'm here now and I want to help you achieve your dreams."
"I can't just quit Ezra I have financial commitments."
"You've agreed to move in here," Ezra replied. "So you don't have to pay rent on your apartment anymore and I'll pay the other 30% of Daisy's school fees and yours," he placed his fingers under her chin and tilted her head up so she was looking at him. "We're a family Aria so I'd like for you to at least think about it okay? We can talk it over properly when you're feeling better."
Aria nodded her head slightly, "Okay," she whispered. "I'll think about it."
"Thank you," Ezra replied. "I'll go and get Daisy up and give her some breakfast and I'll bring your meds in for you."
Aria watched as Ezra left the living room. Could she really expect Ezra to pay for everything while she went back to school? Ezra had a point they were a family, they were going to live together and had plans to get married the following year. Daisy was his daughter and she knew that Ezra felt guilty about the fact that she had struggled as a single parent for almost three years but Aria was concerned that people may think she was taking advantage of him despite the fact that he'd been the one to suggest it in the first place. Aria sighed and closed her eyes, she was starting to get a headache and she didn't know whether it was from being sick or because she was stressing over everything that had happened in the last few minutes. It was certainly a lot to process and Ezra was right she needed to think over his offer properly.
Ezra gently shook a still sleeping Daisy and whispered her name, the toddler's eyes fluttered open and a smile spread across her face, "Hi daddy," she said happily. "I was dreaming."
"What were you dreaming about?" Ezra asked.
Daisy stretched her arms above her head and smiled once more. "I was dreaming about when you and mommy get married," she leaned closer to him and whispered. "Mommy looked like a princess."
Ezra smiled, "I can imagine," he replied as he lifted Daisy out of bed, "And I'm sure you did too."
Daisy let out a content sigh and rested her head on Ezra's shoulder; she nuzzled her face into his neck and said "You looked very nice too daddy."
It was moments like this that Ezra loved and he prayed that Daisy wouldn't grow out of it for a long time.
"What would you like for breakfast?" Ezra asked.
Daisy lifted her head from his shoulder, "Um Cheerios."
"You're sure?" Ezra asked as he sat her on one of the chairs.
"Yes please daddy."
Ezra filled Daisy's bowl with cheerios, and then went to get the milk from the fridge.
"Hey," he said noticing Daisy had her head resting on the table. "What're you doing?" He placed the bowl on the table and knelt down next to her.
Daisy mumbled something in response.
"What was that?" Ezra asked.
Daisy lifted her head up, "I'm trying to dream again daddy so I can see what happens."
"I'll tell you what happens," Ezra replied with a smile. "Everybody lives happily ever after."
Once Ezra was satisfied that Daisy was eating he got Aria's medication from the night stand in their bedroom and gave her the correct dosage, he then returned to the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee.
Aria's eyes had just started to drift shut when Daisy skipped into the living room they fluttered open immediately and she smiled at her daughter. "Are you ready for school?"
Daisy nodded and pointed to her outfit, "I picked my clothes myself mommy."
Aria chuckled she was surprised that Daisy wasn't wearing her tutu, instead the toddler was wearing a pink sweater and black leggings, her feet were adorned with a pair of black converse hi-tops which were laced with pink and grey skull laces that Daisy had asked for after seeing her friend Lila from the playground with a pair. Aria had looked everywhere for them and had been unable to find anything even remotely similar. Hanna had come to the rescue, she'd found identical ones in a little store when she'd been visiting Caleb and she brought them over the next time she visited.
"You look very pretty Daisy," Aria told her daughter as she took the hairbrush and hair elastics from Daisy's hands.
Aria sat on the edge of the couch and Daisy stood between her legs, she winced slightly as her mommy teased out some of the tangles in her curly hair. Aria both loved and hated Daisy's hair; it was beautiful but also had a tendency to get a little unruly and tangled especially first thing in the morning and no matter how gentle she tried to be Daisy still winced every single time she brushed it.
"Ouch mommy," Daisy said as Aria worked on a particularly stubborn knot. "That hurt."
"I'm sorry baby," Aria replied. "That was the last one."
She turned Daisy around so she was facing her. "Do you want me to do your hair or shall we let daddy have another try?"
Daisy's big eyes widened and she shook her head, "No mommy he couldn't do it," she said with a little giggle. "It was funny."
"What was funny?" Ezra asked as he entered the room.
"Daisy was telling me about your attempts to braid her hair yesterday." Aria replied, she turned Daisy back around so she was facing away from her once more. "Do you want a braid or ponytail?"
Daisy thought about it for a moment before replying "A ponytail please mommy."
"Oh," Ezra chuckled. "Today you pick the easy one."
Aria turned to face him and held the brush out, "Do you want to give it a try?"
Ezra shook his head, "I'm still a novice at this, I'll just watch for now."
It was soon Friday, and Aria's health had improved slightly, her appetite had returned and she was sleeping less but she still hadn't dared to try and drink any coffee. She had emailed Mr Malone Wednesday afternoon and explained to him that Jackie had sent her home on Monday because she was sick and that she had since been diagnosed with the flu and a chest infection, she didn't mention the texts from Jackie and Mr Malone hadn't said anything in his reply to her other than for her to "Get better soon and if I can help in anyway let me know," so Aria assumed Jackie was still coming up with reasons that justified her being fired.
She had called her mom on Thursday when Ezra left to take Boo for a walk and asked for her advice on what Ezra had suggested. Ella had listened as Aria expressed her concerns and had then told her that she had quit work when she was six months pregnant with Aria and that she didn't go back until Mike had started kindergarten and Byron had been the breadwinner throughout. Ella had said that nobody would think Aria was taking advantage of Ezra if she quit her job to go back to school as couples did things to support their spouse all the time.
Aria had hung up and realised that didn't feel as bad about the fact that she had been considering it, it wasn't going to be long term she would go to school get her masters and then hopefully find a job somewhere and then she could start contributing financially too. Teaching was a job that she knew she would love and one that would give them all the opportunity to spend school holidays together as a family.
Ezra entered Daisy's school and waved to the receptionist she waved back and buzzed him in, he opened the door to the main building and quickly made his way down the corridor to his daughters class room, he glanced through the window on the classroom door and frowned when he couldn't spot Daisy in the small group of children who were seated on a small mat at the front of the room. He was just about to go in and enquire about his daughter's whereabouts when he noticed that Abby had stood up and was approaching the door. Ezra stepped back as the young classroom assistant opened the door and joined him in the corridor; she closed the door tightly behind her and turned to face Ezra once more. "Mr Fitz," she said her voice shaking slightly. "Daisy is in the nurse's office."
Ezra felt his stomach drop and he knew the colour had to have drained from his face. "Is she okay?" he asked nervously.
Abby nodded her head and started walking in the direction of the nurse's room. Ezra had been there once before when he picked Daisy up after Aria had phoned him in a panic.
"She got a little upset in class." Abby replied pointing towards the open door.
Ezra looked inside and saw his daughter sitting on one of the small wooden chairs, her face was pink and blotchy and her eyes were red it was immediately obvious to him that she had been more than a "little upset" but at that moment all Ezra cared about was making sure Daisy was okay, he crossed the room towards her in lightening speed and knelt down in front of her. Daisy threw her arms around his neck and clung to him tightly. "Daddy," she sobbed. "My daddy."
Ezra shifted slightly so he was now sitting on the floor, he settled Daisy in his lap and rubbed a hand up and down her back "Ssshhhh," he whispered. "It's okay. I'm here."
Daisy sniffled and pressed her face into Ezra's chest. "He said you weren't my daddy," she said her voice breaking with distress.
"Who did?" Ezra asked trying to keep the anger out of his voice as he didn't want to upset Daisy anymore than she already was but he was furious that someone had said that to his little girl.
"Reese did," Daisy replied she lifted her head up and looked at Ezra her eyes wide with fear. "You are though aren't you? You are my daddy?"
Ezra kissed Daisy's forehead, "I am Daisy. I am your daddy."
Ezra had no idea how long he sat there for, he didn't care his primary concern was making sure his daughter was okay. Once Daisy had calmed down, he asked her to put her coat on so they could go home whilst he talked with her teacher. Ezra stepped out of the office into the corridor where Abby and the school nurse had stood the entire time he had been consoling his daughter. The nurse went back inside to assist Daisy and Ezra closed the door over behind her, he turned to Abby and shook his head. "A little upset?" he said. "It's obvious that Daisy had been crying for a long time, a boy told her that I'm not her father and you tell me she was a "little upset"?"
"We're not sure exactly what happened," Abby replied. "Reese said he didn't know why Daisy was crying."
Ezra took a deep breath, "So you're saying that Daisy is lying?"
"No Mr Fitz that's not what we're saying. It's just this is out of character for Reese."
Ezra nodded his head, "It's also out of character for my daughter, you saw how upset she was just then she's two and a half and she is terrified that I might not be her father. Do you really think she'd lie about someone telling her that I'm not?"
"Well no I don't think she would. We didn't know how to handle it Mr Fitz, we've never had a child get this upset."
"You should have called me or Aria when it happened that way we could have come here and reassured her that it wasn't true."
Abby nodded her head, "I know and I'm sorry. I truly am."
Ezra looked at the young woman standing in front of him and sighed, he knew none of this was her fault she didn't make the decisions. "I'm sorry for getting angry with you." He turned to look inside the office; the nurse had just put Daisy's backpack on for her. "I'm going to take my daughter home."
Abby nodded, "I'll ask if somebody can speak to Reese about it."
"Thank you," Ezra responded his hand already on the door, "I'd appreciate that."
Ezra lifted Daisy into his arms, "Do you want to go home sweetie?"
Daisy nodded and rested her head on Ezra's shoulder, he adjusted his arms so that she was easier to carry and after saying 'goodbye' to Abby and the school nurse he walked along the corridor towards the exit. They had just turned a corner when Daisy pointed at someone, "Daddy," she whispered. "That's Reese."
Ezra looked in the direction that Daisy was pointing, although he didn't catch a glimpse of the little boy who had upset his daughter he saw the back of someone else and that someone looked very familiar.
When they arrived home Aria had known instantly that something was wrong with Daisy despite the fact that Ezra had reassured her during their journey home from school. Ezra had briefly filled her in on what had happened whilst the toddler was distracted by a TV commercial for the new "must have" toy. He'd told her that they should talk about it in depth once Daisy was in bed and Aria agreed there was no reason to get Daisy upset about it again.
"I'll tell you what," Ezra suggested. "Why don't we order in an early dinner and we'll choose a nice movie to watch on Netflix?"
"Yes," Daisy responded her big eyes lighting up for the first time since Ezra had picked her up from school.
Aria nodded her head, "Sounds good."
"Any preference?" Ezra asked.
Aria was just about to reply when Daisy shouted, "Chinese."
Aria chuckled, "Chinese it is."
"Shall I just order the usual?" Ezra asked.
Aria and Daisy both nodded their heads in agreement and Ezra left the room to call the restaurant.
"Mommy," Daisy said. "Some of your nail polish is missing." She lifted Aria's hand up so she could see.
Aria looked at her chipped nails, "Would you like to paint them for me?"
Daisy nodded excitedly, "Can I?"
"Yeah, you know where my nail polish is right?"
Daisy tore out of the room and was running back in less than a minute later carrying a small make-up bag that was filled with nail polishes of various colours.
"You know," Aria said as she watched her daughter open the bag to look inside. "It's Friday and you don't have school for two whole days would you like yours painted too?"
Daisy dropped the bottle of polish she'd been holding back into the bag and looked up at Aria, "Yes please mommy, can I have them pink and purple?"
Aria had just finished painting Daisy's nails when Ezra came back into the room. "Food should be about thirty minutes," he said. "What's going on here?"
Daisy lifted her fingers up so Ezra could see. "Mommy painted my nails because it's not school tomorrow and I'm going to paint hers," she picked a bottle of blue polish up and looked back up at Ezra. "Daddy can I paint your nails too? This is a boy's colour," she held the bottle up. "See?"
Ezra turned to look at Aria who gently shook her head to indicate that she had nothing to do with this and then he looked back towards his little girl who was still holding the bottle in her tiny fingers.
"Of course you can Daisy," he replied .He was unable to say no to her.
After dinner Daisy had gone to the bathroom and Ezra turned to Aria and asked her something that had been plaguing him since Daisy had pointed Reese out to him in the corridor, "What's Reese's surname?"
Aria shook her head, "Cutler I think," she replied. "But I'm not sure."
Ezra nodded his head and turned away.
His suspicions had been correct.
The nail polish bit is courtesy of ezriagame on twitter. If you love Ezria as much as we do you should follow!
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