As I walked home from Spencer's house to pick up some clean clothes and various bits and bobs I'd need for my stay there, my mind went on overtime thinking about everything that had gone on in the last 48 hours. It all happened so quickly. I wasn't sure where I stood and now I had the added worry of A. "That baby is mine" didnt make sense. I was carrying my baby. I wouldn't hand it over to anyone. Especially not A. As I approached my house I saw a familiar car parked outside the kerb and a familiar face peering through the windows. "Ezra?" I called. "What are you doing here?" He spun around to meet my gaze.
"Oh thank god, Aria! I haven't heard from you in days! I've been so worried something had happened."
"Something did happen." I walked past him to my front door and let myself in. "You coming in?" Ezra nodded and followed behind me, closing the door behind him. Ezra immediately joined me as I flopped onto the settee. Being pregnant took all my energy. He placed his hands on my growing bump and kissed it softly.
"It's growing so fast these days." I nodded. "What happened, Aria? Why haven't you been in touch?" I explained everything, from me telling my parents to dad being found dead to mom being arrested. He comforted me. Cuddled me. Made me feel loved.
"Can we move away?" I asked. Ezra looked at me confused.
"What? Why?"
"We can't stay here Ezra, people will judge us all our lives. I can't have that. Our daughter will be bullied. Tormented. We will always be looking over our shoulder incase someone goes to the police about us." Truth is, yes all those things worried me... But nowhere near as much as A did. If A wanted my baby, they'd do anything to get her.
"Aria, this is alot to take in. We both have family here, friends...and what about my job?"
"It doesn't have to be forever. Just... For now."
"Aria, I.."
"Ezra, please. I'm begging you. I can't stay here!"
"We'll see, ok?" I nodded. That was good enough for me.
By the time I left to go back to Spencer's, it was getting dark and the heavens had opened. I spent the walk back crying. I never used to be so emotional but everything was beginning to get so hard. I was exhausted. The rain got heavier so I chose to take a short cut through an alley. I'd cut through it many times on the way to Spencer's and it cut out a good 15 minutes of the walk back. My hand balanced on my small bump. Not far into the alley I heard footsteps behind me. They got louder. And louder. Closer. And closer. I sped up my pace and kept my eyes fixed on the end of the alley way where I could see the light. Once I got there I'd be safe. My mind flicked back to a few nights previous. My nightmare. This was my nightmare. Determined that it wouldn't end the way my dream had I turned my head slightly over my shoulder to take a glance. Sure enough there was a black hooded person headed towards me. With that, I lost my balance and fell to the ground. I tried to get up but new it was in vain. His hand grabbed hold of my shoulder, pinning me down. He then moved his free hand. In my dream, this is were A removed the hood from his face, but he didn't. Instead he reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife.
Ezra's POV
Why didn't I say yes straight away? Why didn't I tell her to pack her suitcase and we'd run? I paced back and forth my small apartment. I never cried but in this occasion, tears pricked my eyes. I wanted to be with her but i couldnt. Aria was my world. And so was our baby. Our little tiny baby who hadnt even been born yet. Why did I let her walk home on her own? The thought of never seeing her again filled my heart with sadness. My beautiful Aria. The phone rang and I quickly answered.
"Ezra, it's me!" Spencer began. "She's ok... She is going to be ok. She's still unconscious but she's stable."
"Thank you so much Spencer!" I had honestly never felt so releived. "And what about the baby?" There was a pause before she answered.
"It's touch and go. But don't worry. I'm sure she will be ok. She's a fighter like her mom! I have to go but ill keep you informed. Be strong Ezra, your family needs you." With that she hung up. Aria would be ok but our baby may not. My eyes were no longer pricked with tears. They began to run freely both with joy for Aria, and terror for our little girl.
End of Ezra's POV
My body ached all over. I listened to the constant him from the machines that surrounded me. They were the only thing that told me I was still alive. I heard a door open and from what I could hear a doctor enter with mom. It meant she was safe and free. It was a sign of hope. "She's responding well to treatment, Mrs Montgomery, and the operation to stop the internal bleeding was successful."
"And the baby?"
"Well, for now, she's a live and fighting. We think she will be ok."
"Thank you doctor. For everything."
"Just doing my job. Ill leave you to have some time with her." The door closed and I could sense mom sit beside me. I felt her hold my hand and gently raise it to her lips and kiss it gently. She sobbed quietly.
"Oh, my beautiful, beautiful baby girl. Who could do this to you? I'm so sorry!" I wanted to respond but I couldn't. I could hear her but nothing else worked. I couldn't open my eyes to see her or mouth to say I'm ok. "We're all so worried about you baby girl. We love you. I love you and my granddaughter." That was all the encouragement I needed. I managed to gently squeeze her hand. It was the most I could manage for now but it was enough. I sensed her mood lift as she called for the doctor and they watched intensely as I came around.
The next time I woke, my way friends all stared back down at me. "H-Hi." My voice was croaky but it was a start.
"Oh Aria," Hanna spoke, "thank god your ok!"
"We've all been so worried about you!" Emily added.
"Wh-what happened?"
"Someone attacked you Aria," spencer spoke."
"A." I managed. The girls looked at each other in fear.
"A did this to you?" I nodded.
"A attacked you. The doctors think that it was an attack to try and kill the baby. We all went out looking for you after you didn't show back at mine. We found you laying in a pool of blood. We thought you were dead."
"The paramedics said you would have been if left for so much as half an hour longer," Hanna cut in.
"You've been out of it for about 4 weeks. We've visited every day." I took it all in shocked by it all.
"E-Ezra?" It was all I could manage.
"He's fine. We've been keeping him informed. He wants to see you but your mum doesn't think it's a good idea. She doesn't want anything looking suspicious." I felt my eyelids droop. "Go back to sleep Aria, we will be here when you wake up." And with that I was gone.
