A/N: I honestly did not expect the turnout to be so high for this story. Now, I'm not really one for chapter stories because I'm always on the go, and sometimes it can be YEARS between posts. So forgive me, if things are sporadic, or when I fall off the face of the earth and come back with another story. I decided to write this one from Aria's point of view. It is another letter to Layla, this one is deeper.

Age 25

Dear Layla,

Twenty-five years ago you came into both your father's and my life; I loved you from the moment the plus sign showed up on the test. I was barely twenty, and newly married, but I knew I was ready for you. Your father was extremely happy as well, I wish we could have continued on in that regard forever. You were three months old when your dad was diagnosed with Stage Four Pancreatic Cancer, and while I can truly say that I loved you then and I love you now, I hated you for being healthy. I hated myself for being healthy. There was a part of me that will always hate myself for living while Ezra died.

I drank a whole bottle of tequila that night, straight from the bottle as I watched you sleeping, contemplating where life was going to take me, him, us next. I wish I could say we had years left together, and as the days dwindled down, so did my bank account. I found myself drinking everyday as you lay forgotten, crying, lonely in your crib. I'm so sorry for the neglect in the beginning. I know that there is no excuse but mommy was sad, and depressed, and mad at the world. Your dad was my high school teacher, we met and fell in love, and just when we were finally able to be together without the fear of legal percussions, he was torn from my life. Can you see why mom was pissed off at the world? At herself for playing it safe for so long?

Your dad passed away when you were nine months and 3 days old, I remember the day because he died while reading you a story, and I'm sorry if you don't want to hear that. We moved in with my parents and I didn't get out of bed for a week, each day another three bottles of alcohol would join the growing pile on the floor. I didn't take care of myself and in turn, I neglected to take care of you. When I finally got myself together, you didn't even know who I was, and who could blame you, I had treated you like an outcast for most of your life. There were days when I couldn't stand to look at you, and thought you would be better off if I gave you up for adoption. I almost did it, but you have his eyes. I didn't see it then, but I see it now. You are my part of Ezra, you and Tony both. I should have lived for you. I almost died, but when I found out I was pregnant with Tony, I knew something had to change. And so it did, I started going to AA meetings, taking care of myself, of you, and working. By the time Tony was born we were living in a new three bedroom apartment, and most of the traces of your father were gone. It was easier that way darling.

When the first letter showed up on your birthday in his neat cursive, I nearly broke down and cried. I was clutching the car keys to my heart and debating wether to drive to the story, but then I thought of Tony, of you in the back seat. I drove to a meeting instead, you didn't make a sound. The letters kept coming until you were four, and then they stopped, I thought maybe he didn't have enough time to write them all out. And after a few years, I forgot about them completely. It wasn't until you turned sixteen that another letter, the second to last letter showed up. The last letter, the one you were to get on your wedding day, is still in my nightstand, and I will give it to you when your big day gets here. It's really not that long off now.

I was so angry when you received those letters in the mail, and I got nothing significant from him, nothing at all. But then I realized he left me you, and Tony, what more could I ask for? I wanted you to know that I love you, Layla, and I always will. You will forever remind me of the love that I once shared with your father, the love I still hold for him, the love I hope you share with Calvin…

I pray you have a daughter to love as much as I love you. So, my darling, it is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you that history is about to repeat itself. I've come back from the doctor's and they have diagnosed mommy with Breast Cancer. I've held off telling you for as long as possible, but the chemo didn't work babe, and they cancer has spread to my lungs. I wish I could express how sorry I am to you, for all the mistakes I made in the past, and the mistake I made by not telling you of my diagnosis before today. I hope to live until your wedding darling, and I will try my hardest, but if I do not, Auntie Spencer has the last letter from your daddy.

I need you to know that I love you. That I always have, and please don't let what I told you change your view of me, everything I did, I did because I thought you would be better off.

Never give up Layla, you will be a wonderful mother. Give my future grandchildren a kiss from me and daddy every night, and never let them forget where they came from. In my will, I have left everything to you. There is an estate in the South of France that your father's great aunt left to his mother, who left it to me….it is yours now.

Remember me, and remember him. I love you darling.

Love always and forever,

Mommy.

A/N Continued: I wanted to take the time to thank you all for reviewing, you all made me smile this holiday. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and that you are all positively stuffed. :) One of my reviewers mentioned something about my story being talked about on Twitter. I was hoping someone could fill me in? I'm helpless when it comes to the Bird. :) I hope you all liked this letter, and that you all don't hate me more than you already do. Thank you for reading, and if it's not too much trouble, review again!