Thank you so much for the amazing reviews to this story. I am overwhelmed by your kindness. I'm not going to leave a long author's note this time but I hope you enjoy this chapter and I apologize for any typos.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pretty Little Liars.

Byron responded with a scowl before he finally turned his attention to his daughter. "So, Aria is there anything else I need to know about before I change my mind about all of this mess? This would be the time for you to say "Surprise I'm joking!"

Aria shook her head. "Sorry dad."

The summer days quickly came to an end and fall soon took over in Rosewood. It was now the beginning of October and everyone was starting to adjust to the cooler temperatures that came with the autumn weather.

Over a month had passed since everyone Aria had once been close too finally became aware of her son's existence, each person reacting in their own unique way. Ezra was adjusting nicely to his role as Jake's father and he had even recently begun spending time with his son without the presence of Aria. He and Aria's relationship, if it could even be called one, hadn't exactly developed into anything other than friendly acquaintances and parents to their son.

Ezra was hopeful that soon that would change.

It was now a cold Friday afternoon and classes were in full swing. Aria sat at her desk in a daze. She was supposed to be listening intently as her students responded to her short lecture over Hamlet, the play she had recently assigned the students to read, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She was midway through her second month of teaching across the hall from Ezra and still she had yet to break the habit of sneaking not so subtle glances in his direction. Sometimes if she was lucky she would catch his eyes staring back at her.

"Ms. Montgomery." A girl in the second row spoke loudly jolting Aria from her thoughts.

"Uh yes. Excuse me. What is it?"

"I was answering your question about the evilness of King Claudius but then your phone kind of interrupted me."

Sure enough, it was then that Aria realized the familiar tone of her cell phone echoing through the room. Normally Aria wasn't one to answer a personal call during school hours but when she noticed the Rosewood Elementary School number showing brightly on the screen she knew she had to answer.

"Class I've got to take this call. I'm going to step out in the hall for just a moment."

Aria instructed the class to carry on with their discussion before she quickly made her way out into the hallway and answered the still ringing phone.

"Hello."

"Ms. Montgomery this is Suzy, Jake's teacher. I'm afraid Jake's not feeling well. He has been complaining of a tummy ache for quite some time and I just thought it be best that I call you." The elder woman spoke through the phone.

Aria sighed as she listened to Suzy speak. She hated when Jake was sick on a normal day but especially today. There was no way she could leave. She still had to prepare her classes for the upcoming test over the Shakespeare play on Monday. "Thank you for calling Suzy." She finally spoke. "Tell Jake I'll be there to get him in just a few minutes. I only have one class remaining after this one and I'm sure it won't hurt him to sit up here with me for an hour,"

Suzy agreed and after muttering another thank you Aria ended the call. After a moment she walked the few steps to Ezra's door and knocked lightly. In a matter of seconds the door was open and Ezra revealed himself. "Hey," He spoke softly.

"Hey." She replied. "Do you mind keeping an eye on my class for say fifteen minutes? Twenty at the most. I would get someone but it's kind of short notice."

Ezra nodded quickly. "Sure. Where do you have to go?"

"I've got to go get Jake. Suzy called and said he's not feeling well. I'm just going to bring him up here since I can't exactly bail on my students when I'm giving a test on Monday."

"Oh. Why didn't I get a call? She has my number. Do you want me to go get him instead?"

Aria shook her head. "No I'll get him. Thank you though. I shouldn't be gone long."

"Okay."

With that Aria said goodbye and returned to her classroom to inform the students that she would be out for a few minutes. Five minutes later she arrived at Ms. Suzy's familiar classroom door and knocked instantly.

'Oh hi Ms. Montgomery, I knew you didn't have much time to waste so I went ahead and got Jake's things together."

Aria nodded a thank you and watched as Jake made his way to the door. "Hey buddy, are you not feeling good?"

Jake shook his head back and forth. "No mommy."

"Well let's go. I've got to get back to my students but you can sit in the big chair behind my desk. How's that sound?"

Jake responded with a nod and motioned for Aria to pick him up off of the ground. "I see daddy?"

"Maybe if you're good but you have to promise to be quiet."

Jake nodded.

Aria quickly made her way down the sidewalk that led her back to the high school. She entered the black double doors and rushed down the hall to her classroom.

"I'm so sorry class. Where were we?"

The class stayed quiet for a few moments before a student in the first row spoke up. "Mrs. Montgomery I think we were still discussing the evilness of King Claudius."

Aria made her way to her desk and sat Jake in the large leather seat behind her desk. "Okay please continue. Do you think Claudius was truly remorseful for killing his brother?"

Before anyone was able to state their opinions, the same girl in the first row began to speak. "Uh Ms. Montgomery is that your son?"

Yeah I'm sorry if he's a distraction but Jake promises to be quiet. Right buddy?" Aria responded turning her attention to her son for just moment. Jake responded with a series of nods and Aria focused back on her class.

"Oh he isn't a distraction. He is a cutie though."

"Thank you now please let's return to our Hamlet discussion."

The students reluctantly began giving their opinions of the evil nature of the play's king. Before anyone knew it the bell rang and the class was dismissed. Jake, who had been sprawled out on his mother's chair struggling to keep his eyes open, shot up at the sound of the ringing noise

"Mommy what is it?"

Aria walked over to her son and laughed. "It's nothing buddy. It's just a bell."

"Kay." Jake responded with a smile. Moments later another bell rang indicating the start of the last class period of the day and the students took their seats. Before Aria had a chance to speak Jake reached over her desk and tapped her roughly on the shoulder. "Mommy" he spoke.

"W-what is it Jake?"

"Can I go see daddy now?"

Aria sighed. "Yeah Jake. He's right across the hall." She pointed her finger directly at Ezra's door. "I'll watch you."

Jake smiled as he jumped from his seat in Aria's chair and rushed through the open door way of his mother's classroom and stopped in front of his father's door. Jake was in the process of turning the door knob when Aria stopped him.

"Knock on the door Jake." Aria said before mimicking the motion to her son.

Jake nodded and banged his small fist on the wooden doorframe. Seconds later the door opened and a person appeared in front of him that wasn't Ezra. This caused Jake to furrow his brow in confusion. He looked up at the tall girl that was standing in the doorway.

"Daddy?" He pointed his tiny finger straight ahead in the direction of the classroom. He then turned his head back to Aria who gave him a quick nod.

The girl behind the door turned her head for a moment. "Mr. Fitz, there is a kid at the door who wants to see you?"

"A kid?" He answered in confusion.

"Yeah he's really short. He has dark hair and he looks a lot like you. He claims you're his father." The student replied and then turned her head to get another glimpse of the small boy, who stood in front of her,

"Daddy?" Jake echoed again.

"Mr. Fitz I think he's growing impatient."

Ezra rushed over to the door and quickly spotted Jake staring straight up at him in anticipation. "You can return to your seat now, Haley."

Jake smiled when he saw Jake standing at his door. "Hey!" He slowly looked up to see Aria watching the interaction. He gave her a smile and a soft nod before scooping Jake up in his arms and returning to his desk.

"You not feeling good buddy?"

Jake shook his head. "Tummy hurts daddy."

"Is that right?"

Jake nodded. "Mommy said if I was good I could come see you,"

Ezra smiled and shifted Jake in his arms. "That's fine. But you're going to have to be quiet so I can teach my class." Jake responded by bringing his fingers up to his lips and pretending to "throw away the key."

"Is that your son Mr. Fitz? He looks like a pretty cool little dude?" A boy at the front of the class asked with a laugh.

"Yeah Kyle he is. Class meet Jake. Jake meet the class." Jake responded by giving the students a shy wave and placing his head back on his father's shoulder.

"But wait isn't that the same kid that was sitting in Ms. Montgomery's class just a few minutes ago?"

Ezra nodded. "Actually Ms. Montgomery is Jake's mom."

"You mean she's your wife?" Another kid chimed into the conversation.

"No not exactly. Can we please get back to our lesson now?" Ezra pleaded uncomfortably as he leaned back onto his desk.

"I didn't know today was bring your kid to school day?" A boy in the second row laughed.

"It's not. But it really isn't any of your business either. Now let's get back to the lesson." Ezra replied harshly as he shot the kid a glare.

And with that Ezra was finally able to continue his lecture.

As the day rolled on Jake continued to complain about feeling sick and Aria was glad to see the school day end. Immediately after the remaining students dragged their feet out of Aria's classroom she made her way across the hall to Ezra's room and got Jake ready to go.

"I'm sorry I've got to run but I really don't want Jake up here any longer than he has to be. How was he by the way?"

Ezra swung his bag over his shoulder and pushed his chair up to his desk. "He was great. He was quiet the whole time. But I must say the kids were a little surprised when they found out you were his mother."

"How exactly did they find out?"

"Well some of them are very observant and I guess when they saw Jake sitting in your classroom between classes and then come over here to see me after uttering the word daddy they must have put two and two together. No big deal though."

Aria took a deep breath and pulled Jake up into her arms. "Okay if you say so but I've got to get him home. See you later."

Aria began to walk out the door but before she could make her way out Jake spoke up. "You come see me later daddy?"

Ezra walked over to Jake and placed a soft kiss to the top of his head. "Of course buddy. Don't I always?" Ezra slowly brought his attention away from Jake when he saw the boy nod. He locked eyes with Aria for a single moment and considered closing the gap between the two but decided against it when Aria muttered a goodbye and left the room.

It was now nearing nine o'clock on the same Friday night and it was Ezra's turn to put Jake to bed. He had been trying for nearly twenty minutes to get the boy to fall asleep but to no avail.

"Daddy can you lay with me?"

There was no possible way Ezra could say no to a question like that. So he simply nodded and smiled as he attempted to maneuver himself comfortably into Jake's small bed.

"Do you still feel bad bud?" Ezra asked as he struggled to stay on the bed."

"Mhm" was Jake's only response.

Silence filled the room while Ezra watched as his son's eyes grew tired. Moments later when Jake's dark blue eyes finally closed, Ezra quietly stood up from Jake's bed and attempted to leave the room. He made it all the way to Jake's half open bedroom door when he heard the familiar sound of his son's voice.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah Jake?" Ezra asked softly.

"Do you love my mommy?"

Ezra was taken aback by his son's bluntness and curiosity. Of course he loved Aria. He never stopped loving her, nor would he ever. He truly believed in his heart that he had loved her ever since that day in the bar.

"Of course I do. I love her so much. I always have. You know who else I love?"

"Who?" Jake was quick to reply.

'You."

Unbeknown to Ezra, Aria had been standing outside Jake's bedroom door for a good minute and had heard every word Ezra had spoken. Aria quickly moved out of the way when she heard Ezra say goodnight to Jake and move towards the door. Moments later Ezra came through the doorway and into the small living room of Aria's apartment. Aria took this moment to ask a very important question.

"Is it true? Do you really still love me?"

Thank you so much for reading. I'm surprised I got this chapter up today but I really hope you like it, if you do please take a moment to leave a review. I would really appreciate it.

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