Author note – This will be the last chapter. I may pick it up again, but right now I'm running out of ideas. But y'all have been so wonderful with all your comments and support. Thanks for reading! And yes, I did name the baby after my favorite Eric Clapton song :)

She was a high school graduate. Aria couldn't help but smile as she stood with her friends after the ceremony. They were all still in their caps and gowns, though most of the shoes had come off already. She was amazed that they had all made it through high school with everything that had happened, and was still happening. A hadn't given up and they didn't have all their answers yet, but, right now, that didn't matter. What mattered was that they had all pretty much managed to hold it together and graduate.

Mona had tortured them for two years, and somehow they had managed to forgive her and accept her into their group. Spencer was seven months pregnant, but, with help from Toby and the rest of them, she was still smiling. All of it amazed her.

She felt a hand on her arm and turned to see Ezra standing behind her. She smiled at him, still relieved every time she saw him that all he had was a scar on his shoulder where A had shot him. "I'm a graduate!" she said, raising her voice to be heard over the crowd around them.

Ezra smiled and hugged her, placing a kiss on her cheek. He was so happy that he could do that once more without having to worry about getting caught. He was happy he could do that once more because she had come back to him.

"I am so proud of you." He said as Maggie, Malcolm, and Wes joined them.

Aria hadn't been expecting any of them to be there and greeted them with a surprised smile.

"Aria!" Malcolm called, wanting to gain her attention. "I got you a present."

"You did?" she replied as he produced a bouquet of partly crushed wildflowers from behind his back. They were tied together with a piece of baby blue yarn in a lopsided bow, and he looked very proud as he handed them to her.

She took the flowers and hugged the child. "Thank you so much, Malcolm. They're beautiful!"

"He insisted on bringing you something." Maggie said, smiling.

Aria returned the smile. "I love them."

She felt another hand on her shoulder and this time turned to see Jason. An awkward feeling tried to push her happiness to the side, but she wouldn't let it. "Hi."

"Hi." He said, glancing at Ezra for a split second before his eyes went back to Aria's. "Congratulations."

"Thanks."

After a moment Jason walked over to the others and Aria, Ezra, Maggie, and Malcolm followed. She was amazed that there didn't seem to be any tension between any of them as they all laughed and chatted. It was nice.

Eventually their families joined the group and Aria was the only one that noticed when Spencer grimaced and her hand went to her belly.

"Spencer?" Aria said, louder than she meant to. "Are you okay?"

Spencer started to nod and brush it off but the pain grew worse and she clutched Toby's arm as her knees weakened.

Now everyone's attention was on Spencer as they all realized what was happening. They baby was coming. Two months early.

Toby easily scooped her up and the whole group rushed to the hospital, every single one of them scared of what might happen.

Spencer was rushed to the emergency room and her friends and family filled the waiting room. Maggie took Malcolm home, deciding that they didn't really belong there, and no one seemed to notice they had left. Everyone was focused intently on Spencer and the baby.

Aria and Emily sat on either side of Toby, trying to assure him everything would be fine. It wasn't working very well because they couldn't convince themselves that everything would be fine. They were just as scared as he was.

Ezra sat with Ella, looking across at Toby flanked on either side by Aria and Emily. They three of them were practically clinging to each other. He wished Aria would cling to him, but he understood why she wasn't. Actually, he thought it was very sweet that she was trying to comfort Toby when she was just as upset and unsure as he was.

After a couple of very intense hours, which several of them spent pacing around the room, a doctor emerged. They all froze and waited to hear what he had to say, hoping against hope that both Spencer and the baby were okay. They breathed a collective sigh of relief when he confirmed that they were indeed okay. The girls, Toby, and Spencer's mom cried.

Aria left Toby's side and went to Ezra. She felt safe in his arms. Spencer and the baby would have to stay in the hospital for a while, but they would be okay.

Spencer was tired by the time the girl came in, but she wouldn't have turned them away if her life depended on it. Toby excused himself to give the four of them some privacy.

"How are you feeling?" Emily asked.

"Lousy." Spencer replied honestly. "And tired."

"Do you want us to go so you can get some rest?" Hanna offered.

Spencer shook her head. "No. Please stay. All I could think while my family was in here was that I wanted to see you guys."

They were all quiet for a while, thinking about what could have happened and what didn't.

"Have you seen her yet?" Spencer asked. "She's in NICU."

Aria nodded. "Yeah. We saw her while we were waiting to come in and see you. She's beautiful."

Emily and Hanna agreed and Spencer smiled proudly, as any new mother would.

"What's her name?" Emily asked.

"Layla Marion." Spencer said.

"After Toby's mom." Hanna smiled. "Was that his idea?"

"Mine." Spencer pushed her hair away from her face. "We're getting married."

"When?" Aria asked.

"In a few months."

"Where are you going to live?" Hanna asked.

"In the barn while I'm in school at Hollis, and then we'll probably find our own place." She paused for a moment to look at her friends. They were three of the most important people in her life. No matter what they had stayed by her side. She loved them dearly. "Can I ask you guys something?"

"Of course." Aria said. "Anything."

"Will you be my maids of honor?"

"Yes." All three answered simultaneously, without having to think about it for a second.

With a smile, Spencer settled back against the pillows and closed her eyes. Even with A still at large and so many questions still unanswered, she felt like the luckiest girl in the world right now. And she felt safe.