Ezra's POV:
I didn't get much sleep last night, with all the excitement that happen. I'm proud to say that ihave the most amazing person sleeping next to me. and I get to call her my wife. As I lay here beside her, watching as her chest slowly lifts up and down from her soft breaths of air. I fell like I got the, greatest gift last night. the part where aria and isaid "I do." The way her face just lite up in excitement, as we shared our first kiss as husband and wife. the way we made love last night. everything that we shared, I wouldn't change that for the world. but out of everything that happen in that 24 hour window. I can't bemore than thrilled, aria came out of her shell and revealed to everyone her true identity. even though she kept Patterson, as her trade mark name. She announced that she was no longer hiding under the name Christine. From this day forward she is now Aria. "My aria. Mrs. Aria Patterson Fitz." I whispered as I traced small circles on arias baby bump "god, I hope you're a girl" I whispered again.
"why don't you want another boy running around?" Aria turned her head and smiled at me.
"Good morning, Mrs. Fitz" I leaned down and gave my wife a kiss.
"Good morning, what time is it?" aria asked as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.
"About 11" I answered
"Shit... I'm late" aria sprang up and off the bed " i have that showing today remember?"
"Aria relax" I laughed " Mike said he'll take care of it, besides I want to talk to you about something" I told her and patted for her to come back to the bed.
"what is it?" aria asked full of concern
"Mike asked if we wanted to take over the atlantic city account!" I said
"he what? Ezra as good as it sounds, what about school? I still want my degree." she started rambling
"Aria Breathe... I told Mike we'll think about it, and talk it over. I know how you feel, I love teaching and I want you to go and get your degree"
" I know but if he sells, when the time comes it's not going to be Patterson's anymore. and I really don't know how I feel about that!"
"Aria if you really want it. we can have it. but your already working three times as hard, and with school coming around the corner and plus this baby. I want you to take time for yourself" I pleaded.
"I think I'm going to be sick" aria said and ran into the bathroom. which I followed
"are you alright?"
"yeah morning sickness, I can't wait till that's over." aria smiled and started to brush her teeth.
'mommy, daddy open the door." Johnathan yelled.
"coming buddy" I said and grabbed a shirt.
"morning daddy!' Johnathan extended his arms for me to pick him up.
"Morning bud!"
Aria's POV:
My mind was spinning out of control, at the news Ezra just told me.I might sound selfish, but I really want the business to stay family. maybe I can talk to mike. and plus, "why is it he can talk to Ezra about this and not me?" I mean we grew up around the business, besides what we learn in school. the family business is all we know. "how can he give it up just like that?" Maybe I can talk Ezra into, getting his gaming licence. and we both can take over, both hotels. besides i just sign off big clients. and room suites, to people who wants to rent it out... But if we own it, we can change the rules so we're not traveling as much. cause until than, I'm still following my grandparents rules. In running the business.
I walked out of the bathroom, and heard Johnathan giggling. Ezra was tickling his fee. "My two boys" I said and joined them on the bed.
"Morning mommy" Johnathan gave me a hug
"morning sweetie. Where's Brittney?"
"In the living room, reading the paper" Johnathan said pointing our the door.
"What do you guys, want to do today?"
"how about we go to circus circus?" Ezrasuggested.
"Isn't he a little young for that?" I question, it was nothing but rides. or I've heard, never really been there.
"how about the wax museum?" another suggestion from Ezra
"Umm... I don't know about that!" I answered
'why don't we just start out with lunch, and see where the day takes us" Ezra now had a plan
"Okay, but I have to tell you something" I told Ezra as Johnathan went running into the other room.
"Should I be worried?"
"Okay so last night when I was putting on the wedding dress. I meant someone, she actually works as a cocktail waitress here."
"Baby, just spill it."
" i want to open a program here in Vegas for parents in need. a low in come program like new york" I blurted everything out.
Ezra's POV:
I looked at her in shock. we just got married, there's a baby on the way. she has school in a few weeks, she is always on call with her grandparents. we have Johnathan, new york and maybe the atlantic city account. Oh and not to forge the court fight, for custody battle going on with Jason. and she wants to take on another project. she's crazier than I am.
I continued to stare at her, for a few more moments before i just said "NO"
"what?" she asked me in shock
"Aria, no. I wont agree to this. all this over working yourself it's not good." I stood up from the bed and started to get ready for the day.
"excuse me? Ezra what do you mean no?" Aria exclaimed.
"Aria you have so much on your plate now, and you want to tackle another project?" I tried to reason with her.
"yeah, I do Ezra" she started to change her clothes. "You know it's one thing, to talk about it. but when you bark out a flat-out NO. without even considering the people we maybe helping. Now that just pisses me off." aria finished and left the room slamming the door behind her.
"Ugh, Aria" I yelled after he. I quickly grabbed a new shirt and ran out the room "aria that's not what I meant." I said as I ran into the living room. but she wasn't there "where did aria go?" I asked Brittney.
"she left, what happen?" She was really concerned.
"Daddy, mommy left us" Jonathan ran up to me "and she was crying. why did you make mommy cry?"
I completely ignored his question. as I tried to call aria. "pick up...pick up" I said as frustration ran through me.
"Ezra what happen?" Brittney was getting commanding, then suddenly her phone rings.
She took her phone, out of her pocket and looked at it. then look at me "is that Aria?" I asked with my tone of voice raising.
"yeah, it is" she answer the phone "Aria where are you?" Brittney sounded so worried "okay, yeah I will" she said and hung up
"well? where is she?" I was worried myself.
"she wouldn't tell me. but you have to tell me what happen. tell me now! she command.
"aria want's to set another in housing program, here in Vegas. just like new york, and i told her no. a few times."
"You did what?" she yelled at me. "what are you S-T-U-P-I-D or something" she picked up Johnathan and shook her head. "You of all people, should know aria by now. The one thing she truly loves, besides you and Johnathan. Is watching people success, and putting a stop to that. was like ripping a piece of her heart."
I rubbed my face " I didn't mean it like that, aria just has too much projects going on. to tackle one more, plus school is just in a couple of weeks." I sat down and tried to call her again. but it went to voice mail..." please, aria that's not what I meant.. please call me back."
"daddy did wrong?" Johnathan climbed on my lap. "mommy loves, you. she'll come back" he kissed my cheek
I smiled at him "thanks, buddy. I needed that" i stood up with Johnathan my arms. "let's go get some lunch, then do something while we wait for mommy. Okay?"
"Okay daddy" Johnathan rested his head on my shoulder, he was actually really light for a three-year old. "can we go to McDonald's?" Johnathan looked up at me.
"sure, it's a good thing there's one in the hotel" I said as I closed the door to the suite.
we made it to McDonald's and ordered , just as the food was called out. One of the cocktail waitresses said that she just saw aria, in the book store. I quickly grabbed the food and Johnathan. As I rushed over there, but she was talking to someone. "mommy" Johnathan exclaimed in excitement.
Aria's POV:
I felt so bad as I stormed out of the suite. But I knew I had to compose myself, I didn't want to have a break down in front of my son. Maybe I was wrong for, not hearing him out. but it's not like he was doing much explaining. I have so many visions, in my mind, that I want to share. with the world. and I don't need anyone holding me back. when he told me NO, just a flat-out NO. and didn't even listen to the idea's I have, I just got pissed. iwalked into McDonald's and got a Fruit smoothie. And headed to the book store, we had at the hotel... It wasn't big or anything, but it does have a great variety of books. I made it to the back of the store and sat down at one of the tables. I really didn't know, what else to do. so I just sat there. staring at my drink, thinking of ways I could get my project off the ground. I slowly thought of idea's and soon my mind was just racing in them and I started to write them down. until Erica tapped my shoulder.
"Good after noon." Erica greeted me.
"hey, have a seat" I gestured
"I can't, I'm working"
"really. have a seat" I gestured to the seat again.
"right sorry. so hows the married thing going so far?" she asked as she took a seat.
"well, not good. But it's nothing" I said and gave her a slight smile. "so I've thought, about what I can do for you. have you heard of the in housing program I have in new york?"
She shook her head "no, I haven't" She looked a little confused,.
"okay, I have 5 apartment complex, in new york. that I rent out to families in need. they all have a day care, in the building. So you don't have to worry about that. And I do have people, that somethings can't pay rent. so I have them volunteer, for my fund-raisers or in the child care room. and so forth." I had to stop and catch my breath.
"Wait a minute " she said as she was taking everything in. " You want me to move to new york?"
"well I do have a couple of units open, but No. I want to open at least 2 apartment buildings here in Vegas. But with everything going down around me. I want someone to be the back bone, like scouting for locations. and making sure everything is running right. stuff like that" I explained.
"But the state of nevada already has, something like that. from the government." She voiced her concerns
"yes, I am aware of that. but even the government can be a rip off. Plus, if you don't pay. they kick you out." I told her "in my view, you can be poor and still live in my apartment complex as long as you volunteer, and get out there in the world. I dont' give away free rent to slacker." I reasoned
"um.. I don't know what to say. this is very nice of you. but why are you helping me? you just meant me"
I smiled "last night, when you spoke about working two jobs to support your daughter. I felt the drive and determination. the spirit in it all, to give your child a chance at life. and I want to help, it's not a hand out, and trust me I can be a bitch. but I too was single parent and all I could ever ask for was support from the people around me" I wiggled my eyebrows at her, I was getting a little excited.
Erica nodded as she wiped the tears that fell down her cheek "no one as ever offered their help, like that. I too lost my parents at a very young age. I've been from house to house, until the age of 18. and then I had Ashley." she shed a few more tears "I don't know what to say" I rubbed her hand
"well" I started to say, until I saw Johnathan, running toward me. followed by Ezra
"Mommy" he ran right up to my side, and gave me a hug.
"hey, honey meet Erica... This is Johnathan"
"well, this is my personal number." I said as I wrote it down and handed it to her "call me, if you decide to take my offer. I promise you wont regret it. if you do" I stood up and gave her a hug.
"thank you" she told me and I nodded.
Ezra's POV:
I watched as aria, completely ignored me. I knew she saw me standing there, but not even a glance. So I waited until she was finished talking to the woman, she is with. But she took Johnathan and walked in the opposite direction. I speed walked up to her and grabbed her around the waist.
"aria please" I begged we weren't even married 24 hours and were having a disagreement "you have to listen to me"
she turned around and looked at me, we stood there staring at each other for a few moments "well?" she was very sarcastic.
"Look the only reason, I said no. is because your over worked, and I hardly get to see you anymore. I think I rather you go back to high school and I'm the english teacher again, at least I saw you more often than I do now."
"Ezra I love what I do. and I need you to support that" she pleaded
"i do support that, I just don't like the fact. that my wife, is working more than I do" I knitted my eyebrows, I was actually jealous of aria making more money than I do.
"Wait - are you mad at the fact that I'm bring in more money that you? she was in shock "Ezra honey" she took hold of my hand "the money doesn't matter, and if you want all you have to do is tell me. and you can take over some of my account, it's a family business. and you will always be in my family."
"then let's do this, and give me the atlantic city account, and the Vegas account!"
"so we're doing this? what about school?"
"till the end. and if I want, I can always go back. you come first" I smiled at her " I love you, and this is something you really want. I want to be there with you."
"Thank you, and I love you too." I pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head. "Ezra?"
"Hmmm" I said and looked down at her
"You do know, we're having another wedding when we get home right?" she winked at me
I chuckled " Yes, I do know that."
So next chapter, their going be back in rosewood. And I'm going to speed it up a little, so the next chapter is the week of the wedding. And the first encounter with Ezra's mom... and so on and so on...