When All Else Fails
It was November, almost thanksgiving time, when Aria and Ezra felt they were finally all moved in. They decided that since it was their first thanksgiving as a married couple, they would host thanksgiving. Her parents and Mike were coming, along with Hanna, Caleb, Spencer, and Toby. Emily couldn't make it because she had to stay at school since they had swimming everyday for three hours. They two couples promised to stop by at least, they may not make the meal though, but they would definitely visit. They hadn't seen each other since they all left for college, but they had definitely kept in touch.
The week before thanksgiving Aria still had to go get everything from the store, they had ordered the turkey, of course, but she still had to get potatoes for mashed potatoes and corn and things like that.
"Hey Ez, do you want to go with me to the store? I could really use your help." Aria put her jacket on because the Pennsylvania weather was around 40 degrees if they were lucky this time of year.
"Is it okay if I skip this one? I don't feel too great, I've got a headache so I think I'm going to take a little nap if you don't mind." Ezra told her, getting up from his spot where he was napping on the couch. Aria nodded and felt bad for even asking. Ezra hadn't been feeling too well the past couple of days and had been napping constantly it felt like. She felt awful for feeling this way, and would never tell him, but she was a little annoyed because she really could have used the help cleaning the house and cooking and getting ready. Aria kissed him on his head and left the house. She got her necessities and when she arrived home, Ezra was asleep on the couch still. Aria quietly put the groceries away and got out the cleaning supplies from under the sink. She started to clean the kitchen first, then the dining room. She moved onto the living room, but avoided the family room because she didn't want to wake Ezra. He's done so much for her, this was the least she could do. She vacuumed the basement and mopped the kitchen, even though she knew she would just make a mess out of it tomorrow. She made dinner and woke Ezra when it was time to eat. He had to put his glasses on because he couldn't see well, and he never wore his glasses. It was a nice change.
"So how was your day?" Aria asked Ezra, who had been pretty quiet.
"Uhh, it was half color do it in uhh-"
"Ezra! Are you okay? You can't form a comprehensive sentence!" Ezra just kind of nodded his head and closed his eyes for a second before speaking.
"I'm okay, I think I'm just going to go to bed though." It was a good thing that it was fall break for the students so Ezra had time to rest. Aria worked on some schoolwork before heading to bed with her husband.
The next week was filled with much of the same, Aria preparing for thanksgiving while Ezra rested. He scheduled a doctor's appointment for two days before Thanksgiving. It was the day of his appointment and Aria had to work, so she couldn't go with him. She had gotten a part time job at the library so they didn't have to rely on just Ezra's income. The appointment was at 11, but Ezra did not get home until around 4.
"Hey, I was beginning to get worried, how was the appointment?" Aria was going through the mail when Ezra arrived home.
"It was okay, they took blood, and did a bunch of tests, like CT scan and an MRI. They said they'll call me when they get the results, they just don't want me driving until then. They said it could be nothing though." Ezra said nonchalantly. Aria nodded and began to see what she could make for dinner.
"We could have ravioli? Does that sound okay?" Aria offered.
"Yeah, I'm not too hungry, but I'll eat a little." Aria was becoming worried about Ezra because these symptoms have lasted a long time, and he wasn't even hungry anymore. Around 5:30, Aria started to make dinner. She went to get Ezra when it was ready at six, but she found him asleep in bed. She decided not to wake him and to just let him sleep, so she ate by herself. The home phone started to ring and Aria looked at the caller ID before answering, it was the doctor's office.
"Hello?" Aria was eager to hear what the doctor had to say.
"Hello, is Mr. Fitz there?" Aria decided this was a just cause to wake him. She replied and went to wake him.
"Hello?" Ezra asked when he awoke.
"Hi, Mr. Fitz, this is Dr. Casella, we got your test results back earlier and after doubling checking the results, it looks like you do have a tumor pressing on your brain. Now, that is no reason to panic at all. These things are treated all the time and frequently don't even need to be removed. We would like you to come in tomorrow to see if it is benign or malignant and then we will go from there, is a 10 am appointment okay?"
"Um, yeah, that sounds fine, thank you doctor." Ezra hung up the phone.
"What did he say?" Aria asked almost immediately.
"I have to go in tomorrow, he said that I have a brain tumor?" Ezra said more confused than anything.
"What? A brain tumor? How could this happen? What does this mean? What happen ne –"
"Aria, he said it's no reason to panic, these things happen all the time and don't have to be removed a lot. That's why I'm going in tomorrow." Ezra interrupted her rant.
"I'm going with you."
"Don't you have to work?"
"I'll get someone to work for me. I want to go." Ezra knew there was no point in arguing with her because she was so stubborn.
"Well I made dinner, but you were sleeping so I didn't want to wake you, but since you're up, do you want me to heat you up some?" Aria instantly felt awful about how she was a little annoyed at Ezra for not helping her around the house lately, but now that she knew how serious it could be, she felt horrible. Ezra nodded and got up to follow her into the kitchen.
"What are you doing?"
"I thought you said I could eat dinner…" Ezra was confused by her questioning.
"I'll bring it to you."
"Aria, I'm fine, I promise, I can go to the kitchen to eat dinner." Aria agreed hesitantly.
"So did the doctor say anything else? Like potentially treatment?"
"He just said we'd discuss it tomorrow." Aria got the raviolis out of the microwave and placed them in front of Ezra who was intent on eating them. He began devouring, but stopped after a few minutes because he could feel a pair of eyes on him.
"What, do I have food on my face?"
"No, what I can't look at you anymore?"
"It's a pity look Aria. I'm fine, okay? I'm not going to keel over and die." Ezra joked, but Aria's eyes started to water.
"Ar, I was joking, I'm going to be okay! Everything's going to be okay!"
"How can you say that though? You don't know that everything is going to be okay! How are you so calm! The doctor just said you have a brain tumor!"
"He also said that this happens a lot more frequently than I would think and that it may not have to be removed! Aria, let's just not be worried until we know something, okay?" Ezra comforted Aria from over the counter.
How could they go from going skiing a week ago to now Ezra possibly having brain cancer? Aria was so worried but she didn't want to show Ezra just how scared she was. He had always been strong for her, so now she had to be for him.
"You're right," Aria wiped her eyes, "so do you want to go back to bed?" Ezra shook his head.
"I'm not really tired right now, I slept a lot today, why don't we watch a movie?"
"Yeah okay, you go pick a movie and I'll put this in the dishwasher." Aria couldn't help but let her mind wander to health insurance. Sure, they weren't poor, but they weren't rolling in the dough either. If Ezra did have something that was more serious than the doctor led on, how would they be able to pay for it? They had insurance through Ezra's job, but she wandered how much that would cover. She went into the family room to see Ezra half lounging on the couch, but leaving enough room for her. She sat down on the open portion of the couch, right in Ezra's arms, but she made sure not too lean too much on him.
"You aren't going to break me Aria, I'm fine, really. Hey, look at me, I'm fine." Ezra reassured as he browsed the movies on demand. He decided on No Strings Attached because he knew it was one of Aria's favorites. They fell asleep that night cuddled on the couch.
The next morning they both woke up a little sore from falling asleep on he couch. They showered and got ready for Ezra's appointment.
"You ready?" Aria asked, taking a breath before asking. Ezra nodded and they both left, a little worried about what lies ahead of them.
"Hello Ezra, I'm assuming you're Aria?" The doctor asked when they were taken back into an examination room. Aria nodded and the doctor went on to comment on how frequently Ezra talked about her.
"So first off, we're going to do a biopsy to see if the tumor is benign or malignant and we'll go from there. We'll probably be here for awhile, so make yourselves comfortable." The doctor informed them as he took out a large needle. He let the two relax as he went to deliver it to the lab. Ezra was sitting on the hospital bed in his gown when the doctor came back. They didn't have the results yet, but they wanted to talk about his options.
"So Ezra, this is Dr. Holier, he specializes in neurosurgery should you have to have your tumor removed. He is one of the best in the country, so you are in good hands. You three can consult when the results of your biopsy are in, but in the meantime, why don't you get dressed and you can wait in my office for the results, that sound okay?" Aria and Ezra nodded. They followed the doctor's instructions and waited alone in his office. About fifteen minutes went by and Ezra's hands were getting sweaty.
"It's going to be okay, I promise you that. No matter what those results say, we're going to be okay." Aria kissed kiss hand, which she was holding. Both Dr. Casella and Dr. Holier walked in shortly after.
"Alright guys, we have the test results," Dr. Casella sat in his chair while Dr. Holier stood beside him.
"It seems that your tumor is malignant, but we caught it so early that we believe if we act quickly, we can remove it without it spreading." Dr. Holier informed. Aria let out a small sniffle as her eyes filled with tears, but she was trying to hold it together.
"Of course, let's go ahead with whatever needs to be done." Ezra answered.
"That would mean that you would have to have surgery in a few days. Then, depending how that goes, maybe a round or two of chemo, but we could be successful in the first surgery." Ezra nodded.
"Book the surgery." Ezra said with no emotion. They scheduled for Saturday, two days after thanksgiving. He was prescribed some pain killers for his head until then and they were free to leave. They sat in the car for a few minutes before either of them spoke.
'Wow, brain caner, that's…"
"A big deal." Aria finished for him. Ezra nodded. Aria couldn't help but cry.
"Why aren't you more upset?"
"Because I know that even if everything doesn't go well, that I have gotten to spend my life with a wonderful woman who has made me the happiest man alive." Ezra answered, starting the car.
"How come I'm upset and you aren't even emotional?"
"Aria, I get it, you're scared, I'm scared, but there is still a chance that everything is going to be okay." They got home and Aria had to make herself busy while Ezra got his prescription filled. They had decided that they would tell everyone tomorrow at dinner. Aria started peeling potatoes and got the turkey out of the freezer to thaw. She had almost everything she needed ready for tomorrow, she would just have to make the actual side dishes. Ezra came home and they decided to make it an early night so they could be well rested for tomorrow.
Aria woke up around 9 to find herself alone in their bed. She got up and started looking for Ezra, noticing that the living room was straightened up on her way through the house. She found him in the kitchen, mopping.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm helping you clean for today. Do you want coffee?"
"Ezra, the doctor said you needed to rest."
"He told me to take it easy, not be an invalid." Ezra laughed at Aria's craziness. She took the cup of coffee he offered her while inspecting all the other things he had done for her. All the cleaning was done and Aria was thankful. Aria showered and began cooking around eleven while Ezra watched tv in the connecting living room. He was helping out where he could, but he was afraid he would just be in her way. Her parents were arriving at four and it was now 3:30.
"You go change, I'll watch over everything in here." Ezra ordered. Aria gave him a thankful look because she had yet to have a spare minute to get dressed. Ezra was dressed in khakis and a sweater and Aria came back into the kitchen in a sweater with leggings on and boots. They couple looked very fall. Hanna said her and Caleb would definitely be there for dinner since her family's celebration was at lunch. Spencer said her and Toby would be over around 5, for dessert. The game was already on tv and Ezra was sitting in front of it on the couch. He heard Aria struggling in the kitchen again and he went to help her.
"Are you okay?"
"I was just about to ask you the same thing, did you take your medicine today?"
"Yes, I did, but don't let that ruin your day, okay? It's our first thanksgiving as husband and wife, let's enjoy it, okay?" Ezra wrapped his arms around his wife's waist from behind and kissed her neck.
"Yeah, are you sure you want to tell them?" Aria double-checked, getting nervous for some reason.
"Of course, they're family now, and I don't want to lie to them. But I don't want to worry them, I'll have this surgery and be fine." Ezra said trying to convince himself just as much as he was her. He hopped up on the counter only to shortly be scolded by Aria.
"Ezra, no one wants your butt near their food! Get down."
"Well I never heard you complain about my butt before."
"Okay, let me rephrase that: No one but me wants your butt near their food." Ezra smiled and then stopped when he heard the doorbell ring.
"Now or never I guess." Ezra said before he went to open the door. It was Mike and her parents.
"Hi Mom, hi Dad." Aria greeted both of her parents with kisses on the cheek. They had brought a pumpkin pie for dessert.
"I gotta say Aria, I'm pretty fond of this whole thing where you host thanksgiving instead of us. It is pretty nice." Ella laughed seeing the mess in her kitchen.
"Yeah, well I offered before I knew how much of a mess I would make." Aria was pulling the baked corn out of the oven when the doorbell rang again. This time it was Hanna and Caleb.
"It's so good to see you!" Hanna exclaimed as she saw Aria. They hugged for awhile while Caleb greeted everyone else.
"We brought green bean casserole…but I'm not promising anything." Hanna looked at her lack of cooking skills. Aria smiled and took it to the kitchen to keep warm. Soon, they were all seated around the dining room table, getting ready to eat.
"So, what's everyone thankful for this year?" Byron sparked the conversation while the food was being dished out.
"I'll go first, I'm thankful that Aria invited us because I'm starving!" Hanna joked.
"But, for real, I'm thankful that I got to come home for the holiday and see my family and my friends. And for a break from all the school work."
"I'm thankful that I found a job in New York so I can be with Hanna while she goes to school and I'm thankful that we are somehow managing to pay the rent." Caleb added that joke at the end which made everyone laugh.
"I'm thankful for being here with my family and that Mom made the pie because that may be the only thing I eat if Aria cooked the rest." Mike laughed.
"Hey, watch it." Aria warned.
"How about you Mom?"
"Well I'm thankful for my two beautiful children and husband, and for our new addition to the family, Ezra. And that Hanna and Caleb can join us tonight so it's not family feud."
"I'm thankful that my wife is so forgiving and generous. And I'm thankful that my daughter has grown up into a beautiful woman who married a smart, kind man. I'm thankful that my son is going to graduate this year and go on to do whatever makes him happy."
"I'm thankful for my husband, who know matter what, always puts me first, even if he's the one who needs the attention. And I'm thankful that we can be together for this thanksgiving and many more after this one." Aria said, trying not to get emotional.
"I am so thankful for my life right now. I have a beautiful wife, who is nothing short of amazing. And I'm thankful that we are both here, healthy, and with our family." Aria smirked at the healthy part because she knew he said it because she would understand what he was talking about.
"Let's eat!" Hanna chimed in. Aria served everyone their sides while Ezra carved the turkey. They ate with good conversation circulating about school and work and such. Spencer and Toby arrived a little earlier than they expected, but were too full to eat the meal. After everyone was finished, Aria and Ezra took the plates to the kitchen, knowing everyone would need a break before dessert.
"Aria, Ezra, you two have to break the wishbone!" Spencer added as she helped clean up. Everyone sat around the table and watched Aria and Ezra struggle to break the bone. Finally, the bone cracked and Aria was able to pull the rest of it. Everyone cheered.
"So, Ar, what did you wish for?" Ella asked. Aria took a deep breath before looking at Ezra.
"I wished that Ezra would be healthy again." Aria said, not able to get the words out without crying. Everyone had puzzled looks on their faces.
"I didn't know that this was how we were going to break it to you guys," Ezra chuckled a little before adding, but, I hadn't been feeling well for awhile and yesterday Aria and I went to the doctor and he confirmed that I have a malignant brain tumor. I'm having surgery on Saturday though, they think they can remove it all without having it spread anywhere else." Ezra let the words just come out before he looked up at the group of eight. Aria grabbed his hand for support. No one spoke for the longest time.
"Excuse me." Aria went into the kitchen before anyone, especially Ezra, could see her crying. It seemed that she was always crying lately. She heard footsteps behind her, she expected them to belong to her husband, but instead they belonged to her father. She leant into him and cried for what felt like hours.
"I am finally getting to be with him on a permanent basis, I can't lose him now Daddy." Aria cried as Byron attempted to soothe her hiccups.
"Honey, he is one of the strongest men I know. He will pull through this, okay. He will be okay, I can promise you that." Byron rubbed her back while she cried. He was partially thankful that she still needed him to comfort her, but he knew that it wasn't his job anymore. He heard footsteps behind him and looked up to see Ezra. He gave him a small smile and backed away from Aria, letting Ezra fill his spot. He went back into the dining room where everyone was still sitting silently, looking at him for details.
"She'll be okay, she's just scared for him. I would be the same way, actually it's a miracle they're both holding it together right now, especially him. He's the one having brain surgery in two days, but he's out there comforting her. He's so strong." Byron spoke to the group minus Aria and Ezra. They came back about ten minutes later with the pumpkin pie and plates.
"So who wants dessert?" Aria asked, which made everyone breath a sigh of relief. She would be okay, and so would Ezra.