AN – Before you read this chapter, I just want to let you know that there are mentions/implications of child neglect and psychological abuse. If that could trigger in anyway, please do not read the flashback.

Chapter 8 - Friday

Aria's pov

Walking outside, Ezra saw me and got inside his car before leaving. I headed to my car and quickly got in, leaving for work when he does is really awkward right now. I glanced at the time and started my car, with no luck and smoke started coming out of the hood of my car. This cannot be happening right now – or today of all days! I have to get to work before I have my appointment, luckily Chloe said I could have a longer lunch hour due to my appointment.

"Crap." I groaned.

I felt the tears running down my, I repeatedly hit my steering wheel and accidentally blaring my horn. Getting out of the car, I walked to the hood as Caitlyn came running out with Hardy behind her. I stared at them in confusion as Caitlyn pulled me towards the sidewalk and Hardy opened my hood. Caleb hurried out of Chloe's house and ran over.

"There's something wrong with the engine or something." Hardy said, trying to wave the smoke away and I internally cursed my car.

"Don't want to worry you, but you may want to start looking for a new car. I'll try everything I can to fix it… but it may not be fixable." Hardy told me and I sighed.

This car has been with me since I came back to Rosewood back from Iceland, and Ella somehow convinced Byron to get me a car. Besides giving up his parental rights, buying this car for me and Mike was one of the few good things he ever did for us. There been so many milestones in this car; both Mike and I got our licenses, Oliver said his first word, and Malcolm told me his crush in third grade.

"This was my very first car, it's where all the milestones happened." I cried.

….

Caleb looked at me as Dr. Hall looked through all the paperwork and the bloodwork results. I forgot how much happens at the first appointment, but I'm so thankful Caleb's here with me. Even though I tried to tell myself he wouldn't do it, Ezra hadn't shown up for the appointment without a single word. Luckily, Caleb wanted to be the peacekeeper between us, now I'm not doing this alone. How could Ezra not show up for our unborn child? Today wasn't about either of us or the mistake I made… but OUR baby and their development!

"According to everything you told me and the bloodwork, the baby was conceived on March 25th. You're about nine weeks right now, and the due date is estimated to be around December 20th." Dr. Hall told me, smiling.

She didn't to tell me the conception date, there have been no other times. Ezra has been the only guy I've been with, after Riley. I never had the heart to date anyone else, I just wanted to be with Ezra… and sadly, Riley seemed to notice that and the fact we were better off as friends. Did he hate me that much that he couldn't even show up for our unborn baby?

"Now, are you ready for the best part?" She asked and I nodded.

"This is going to be a little cold." She added.

I gasped, feeling the cold gel on my stomach. As Dr. Hall moved the wand around on my stomach, I stared at awe at my baby on the monitor screen. The realization that Ezra chose not to come to see our baby's development hit me, and I felt the tears form in my eyes. Did he hate me that much that he would stand our child up that easily? But would he do it again, or to Oliver?

"The baby is perfectly healthy, and growing right on schedule. You two must be very excited!" Dr. Hall suggested.

"Oh, no, he's not- we're not… The father couldn't make it today." I said quickly.

"I am so sorry about that!" She said, embarrassed.

"That's alright. But, is it too soon to learn the baby's sex already?" I asked and she nodded.

Even though I don't want Ezra to miss out on knowing whether we're having a boy or a girl, I kind of wanted to know, just to rub it in his face… am I terrible person to want that?

…..

Caleb opened the door to the Grille for me and I stopped dead in my tracks, there was Ezra was having lunch by himself. As I felt my blood boil, Ezra looked up from his food and saw me glaring. Before Chloe or Caleb could stop me, I stormed over towards him.

"If you didn't want to come, you could've just told me! Or did I misinterpret your little thumbs up? Why don't I just act like I don't know who the father is and save the baby from heartache!" I asked angrily

"Aria!" He exclaimed

"Oh, now you wanna talk to me? Well too bad, you don't get to talk! You said you would be there, then you don't show up without a word. This is your child just as much as it is mine! I am NOT going to let my kids know the pain Mike and I went through. So, don't play games now and let me know if you want to be a part of this baby's life." I snapped.

Before either Ezra or I could say anything, Chloe whispered something to Caleb. He nodded before resting a hand on my back. Without saying another word, he quickly led me outside and back into his car. I took a few deep breaths as I tried to keep myself from crying.

"I'm sorry." I choked out.

"Don't apologize, he should have told you whether he was coming or not. Just give yourself and him a little time to cool off, then talk to him. Just remember that even though today was about the baby, there are still a lot of things unsaid right now." He said softly.

….

Toby and I looked at each other as my phone beeped. Spencer was focused on the jeopardy marathon we've been watching all day after Caleb dropped me off here to cool down. Spencer agreed that I should wait until I have calmed down to try talking to Ezra again. Seeing the text, I knew this would completely change Spencer's life.

'Aria? I believe I've arrived; they live at 1784 Orchard Lane correct?'

'Yes, Toby will let you in.' I sent back

Toby looked over at me and I nodded, Operation – 'make Spencer's second dream come true' is now in effect. As Toby snuck over by the door, I walked in front of the tv and looked at Spencer to get her attention.

"I have a belated birthday present for you! Years ago, I made you a promise… and I have never broken a promise to you before. Toby, show our lucky winner what's behind door one!"

Toby opened the door, and Alex walked in. Spencer slowly stood up, staring at Alex in shock as she comprehended what was happening. It was like we cloned one of them, but the only difference was that Alex had shoulder length beach waved hair with side bangs.

"I found your sister, Alex." I said excitedly.

"Oh my god." They said together.

Toby and I moved to the kitchen, so Alex and Spencer could have their moment. We sat down at the table, we smiled as we watched as Spencer led Alex over to the couch. They were crying tears of joy as they reunited.

"Wow, it's like seeing double!" Toby joked quietly as the doorbell rang.

As Toby went to answer the door, I walked towards the refrigerator to look for the baby carrots. Placing my hand on my stomach, I quietly sighed. Maybe I was too harsh on Ezra, he has a right to his feelings and I did break his trust by not telling him about almost hooking up with Hardy.

"Aria, you have a visitor." Toby called out.

Setting down the bag of baby carrots, I headed over to the door to see Ezra standing on the porch. Toby gave me a reassuring smile as I stepped out onto the porch. What now, I'm not in a mood to argue if that's why he came. But maybe I can offer some peace for today, if he'll accept it.

"Hi." I said closing the door behind me.

"Hey." He responded.

Neither of us said anything, we just stood there and stared at each other. He sat down on one of the porch chairs, I took a deep breath before sitting on the chair next to his.

"It took a lot for me to come over, I'm just going to come out and say it. Maybe this is all a sign, we're not the same people we were when we met anymore. I think its best we sign the divorce papers." He said and I stood back up.

"If that's what you want. We both knew that it was only a matter of time." I said started to head inside

"The sad thing is that years ago, we would've fought to save our relationship." I heard him say, and I turned to face him.

"Well, we don't have a relationship anymore. And like you said, we're not the same people we used to be. But I honestly thought I was protecting you by not telling you, and I'm so sorry about that."

"You can't change the past, now can you?" He snarked out.

"I'm tired of all the fighting Ezra, what do you want me to do to prove that I'm sorry?" I asked, standing up.

Turning to head back inside, he took my hand in his and I silently sighed. It's been forever since he's held my hand… I miss it and him. But we obviously cannot go back to where we used to be… even though it was only a few weeks ago, that I told him I was pregnant and we were happy to be together.

"Aria, wait." He begged.

Taking my hand back, I sat back down and crossed my arms. He looked at me and I couldn't get myself to look away, damn I hate that he can suck me in with those blue eyes of his.

"I owe you an apology. You expected me there, and I let you down completely by not showing up. I put my own feelings about… what happened, before our unborn child." He said.

"Then why did you?" I asked quietly.

"Because, it still kills me to think about what almost happened between you two. Ar, I know that one fear running through your mind. I promise that I am not going to become Byron. I want to be able to talk to you and Hardy about what did or did not happen between the two of you, but I'm just not in that place yet." He said softly.

"I was stupidly drunk that night and honestly believed Hardy was you. But if I could go back in time and change everything that happened at the party I would." I told him.

"Wait, what do you mean you thought Hardy was me?" He asked shocked.

"I only saw the back of his head, which in my state looked a lot like yours. You'd think I thought it looked like Riley's head." I said softly.

"I honestly meant what I said that night… you know, about us." He whispered.

All of a sudden, he gently cupped my face and his lips brushed up onto mine. Without a second thought, I slowly pulled away and looked through the window to see the top of Toby's head. All of this is too confusing for me, he's mad at me – yet he kisses me? He couldn't look at me that night, but he says wants to spend the rest of his life with me the same night? He's with Nicole now, he shouldn't be kissing me… even though I miss being able to kiss him whenever.

"I should get back inside and you shouldn't be kissing me." I said quickly.

Before he could say anything, I quickly rose and hurried back inside to see Spencer and Alex on the couch. Toby was getting himself a snack in the kitchen. I snuck past them, and headed over towards Toby.

"Is everything okay between you two?" Toby whispered.

"I don't want to talk about it right now." I said softly.

"So, how did Aria find you?" Spencer asked.

Hearing Spencer ask that, Toby and I headed back into the living room and sat on the love seat. Pretty ironic because five years ago, Ezra had believed that there was actually something romantic between Toby and myself. Despite all our plans for the future, now there is nothing between Ezra and I.

"I was working in this little pub in London, when she walked in one Friday night. The moment she saw me, she screamed bloody loud. I thought the girl was bladdered – sorry, drunk in American terms. She insisted I was you, and I ended up having to show her my ID to prove I was in fact… not you." Alex said.

"I bet Aria's little Sparia heart was shattered." Toby said, slightly teasing me and I gently nudged him.

"She was quite gutted… disappointed." Alex agreed.

"How come you didn't tell me sooner?" Spencer asked, looking at me.

"Spence, after twenty-two years you still cannot grasp the concept of a surprise can you?" I teased her.

"Alex, how did you learn about Spencer?" Toby asked

"When I went to university, I begun searching for Charlotte. My adoptive parents helped me with my search, and have been supportive of everything. They even offered to bring her to England for a visit, and when she came… she told me everything about you." Alex said, looking over at Spencer.

"Wait a minute, if you were with Jessica… how come you weren't with them when they moved to rosewood before Kindergarten?" Spencer asked confused

"I'll never forget … it was the day I ran away from that hell hole." Alex said.

Flashback – July 4th 1999

Alex's pov

"Alexandra Jordan Drake downstairs now!" I heard daddy yell.

I dropped my dollies and ran downstairs to see Alison sitting on the couch, looking at me smugly. Daddy looked really mad when he saw me and I knew that she blamed me for something AGAIN and I was in trouble for it, but I hadn't done anything bad.

"Yes daddy?" I asked.

"Do you care to explain why your sister just told me you just broke the very expensive lamp in the den?" He yelled as Ali gave me that evil smile of hers.

"I didn't break it daddy, I was playing with my dollies. Kelly is very angsty about her big case in court today." I told him.

"Do not lie to me Alexandra, why did you break the lamp?" He demanded.

I wish Cece hadn't left to go stay with Aunt Debbie to go to that fancy smart people school, or at least brought me with. Cece is the only one who really loves me, or even cares that I exist. No one else seems to, Daddy and Alison are always against me. Mommy ignores me most of the time, as does Jason.

"And Kelly is MY doll Alex! You're a dollie stealer!" Alison yelled.

"Nuh uh! I had Stephanie at first then you wanted her and so daddy had us switch!" I yelled back.

"That is the first honest thing to come out of your mouth young lady. I'm not going to ask you again, now tell me why you broke the lamp." Daddy demanded

"I promise I didn't break it." I tried.

"That's it Alexandra! I've had it with your lies, go to your room right now Alexandra! And don't think you're going to see the fireworks tonight." He yelled and I ran back towards my room.

..

I watched as daddy sat Ali on his shoulders as they left to go see the fireworks. Mommy didn't even want to hear anything I had to say when she came home, But I think it's because daddy made sure he got to her first. Why did they take me from my real mommy if they didn't want me? Why don't they want me… what did I do that makes them hate me? I'm such a bad girl so mommy and daddy want to leave me at a fire station now? Or they know I really am a good girl and I get to ride in a firetruck…. But Ali wouldn't let that happen. Plus, daddy said he would leave me there in another town!

"Maybe if I runaway, they'll realize they do love me!" I told Clyde, my stuffed monkey that Jason and Cece gave me for my birthday.

Looking out the window, I saw everyone was already gone. I picked up Clyde and ran upstairs to mine and Ali's room. Her big bed took up most of our room, as did most of her toys that was mine until she decided she wanted them and daddy gave her them. Even though she has the big soft bed, mommy and daddy still let her climb into their bed and stay there all night if she gets scared. But if I get scared, they only let me stay until I fall back asleep… then they leave me in the hallway. It's not fair! I don't know how babies are made yet, but they make it very clear that Alison is their favorite because they made her somehow.

"Maybe I can find my real mommy. Or whoever this Peter guy is, he seems important if they didn't want me to meet him." I suggested to Clyde.

I opened one of my drawers and threw all my clothes on my bed. It was all of Cece's old clothes from when she was my age. Alison gets all the new things, but I like having the hand-me-downs… especially from Cece.

"Lot of movies and tv show how to run away from home. If they can do it, so can I!" I said happily.

I got both my mickey mouse and the tweety bird suitcase that Ali took from me when we were picking them out in at the store for our move; out from under my bed. Daddy will just buy Alison another one, he always does. She gets everything she wants… except for my monkey and favorite green striped shirt that Cece gave me before she left for her fancy school. I threw all my favorite clothes into my bags, along with my toys, coloring books, crayons, and most importantly – my blankie and my pillow.

"You're awfully quiet Clyde, they don't care about us and maybe this will show them that they do." I said, looking at him sitting on my bed.

I changed into my overalls and my green striped shirt. The one nice thing Ali ever did for me was not want this shirt, otherwise she would've gotten it even though Cece promised it to me. Looking at our dollies on the ground, I picked up Kelly and Stephanie and put them in my bag too. Along with the secret stash of candy. Daddy will buy Ali more dollies, and she gets to keep the other dollies… it's only fair that I get these two. I think she only wanted them because they're my favorites, she always wants whatever my favorite is of anything.

"Let's get going Clyde." I said, picking him up as the fireworks began.

End of flashback (Back to Aria's pov)

None of us knew what to say, how could the Dilaurentis family not care about Alex at all? Alison, I could understand. But how could they just treat her so horrible like they had? She was only a little girl, who didn't get to know that she had a sister- a twin sister.

"They made sure I knew I was the adopted one, especially Alison and Kenneth. But I never got to figure out why Aunty Jess took me from mum, when she didn't even like me." Alex said softly.

"Apparently, she felt bad about wronging mom. But I learned that from Alison, so it might be a lie." Spencer said.

I looked between the two of them, they were deprived of being sisters. And all because Veronica and Jessica were mad about Peter being with Mary, these two didn't deserve to be separated like that. And the way Kenneth and Jessica treated Alex… I know for a fact that Jessica got her karma from everything. But Alex and Spencer are together now, and that's all that matters now.

AN – I know everyone hated the Alex storyline – but I'm going my own way with Alex/Spencer. Do you guys think Aria/Ezra are going to have a boy or a girl? Let me know if you think it'll be a boy or a girl, and let me know your guesses for Spoby's baby as well! Stay tuned; we'll learn more about Alex and her past/ life next chapter!