Seven months later.

Aria drove towards the clinic. It was time for her monthly checkup, nothing too exciting. So far, her baby had been healthy and well; with seemingly no problems. Ezria and Aria both agreed to let the sex of the child be a surprise. It seemed better that way for both of them.

So many won't get the chance to say goodbye

But it's too late to think of the value of my life

Aria just couldn't wait. Just two more months, and she would finally be cuddling her brand new baby – giving him or her anything that they wanted. Ezra was just as excited. Aria could tell just by the way he grinned from ear to ear when discussing their unborn child. Aria smiled at herself, as she glanced at the rising sun, thinking of how her life couldn't possibly get any better. She would finally have everything that she ever wanted. The perfect husband, the beautiful child, and two supportive parents who remained in her life, along with her three best friends; Spencer, Emily, and Hanna. Life couldn't possibly get any better than it already was. She had already had the requested blood tests a few days prior to this appointment, and would be receiving the results of them today. But Aria knew – she knew that her baby was perfectly healthy. She could feel it.

And I come crashing through

The lovers need to clear the road

Cause this thing is ready to blow

Aria walked through the double door entrance, as she headed upstairs to her doctors' clinic. Although Ezra hadn't come with this time, it was the first time he had missed. Aria didn't mind. He had an important meeting for Hollis, and she actually didn't mind being able to talk to her doctor alone, just in case she came up with any questions that she would have been too embarrassed to ask if Ezra had been there. Who was she kidding? She could do anything with Ezra there. She knew he wouldn't judge. How could she act so silly? Ezra loved her unconditionally, and Aria was fully aware of this. She immediately felt somewhat guilty, for letting herself think that she would have actually been embarrassed.

Aria signed in at the front desk, and took a seat, while patiently waiting for her name to be called.

"Aria Montgomery," the secretary called. "Doctor Ranaldi will see you now." Aria had decided to not yet change her last name to Fitz, although she had been married for two years already. Ezra didn't mind. He knew that it was really just for Byron, who wanted his daughter to still have a part of him. Aria headed towards room three, her assigned room, and waited for the doctor to come in. She decided to shoot Spencer a quick text message.

Seeing the doctor now. I'll call you afterward, to let you know how everything went.

-Aria

Although Aria hated to admit it, she grew a lot closer to Spencer Hastings compared to Emily and Hanna. After high school, Spencer and Aria remained in touch quite well. Although Aria still talked to Emily and Hanna, Spencer was her go-to for everything. She was always there for Aria. She missed the relationship that the four of them had together, but Emily and Hanna were as close as Spencer and Aria were. They were all four still great friends, but were each closer to a specific individual instead of all close to each other. Aria felt it was better this way.

"Aria," Doctor Ranaldi said as he waltzed in lusciously from the hallway, as he usually did.

"Hello, Doctor," Aria said. "So what have you got for me?" Aria asked, deciding to get straight to the point.

"Well... I have... News," Doctor Ranaldi said. "I'm not sure how you'll take it. But I want you to know; it definitely isn't the best news that any expecting mother would like to hear."

"No! Please, tell me that my baby is okay. Please. I've made it seven months already, I can't lose him or her now," Aria said, as she stood up.

"Aria, please sit down. Your baby is fine. Perfectly healthy. You however... You aren't."

Aria stuttered. "W-What do you mean?" She asked, her eyes already beginning to water. She was only twenty-five years old. How could she not be healthy? She ate her vegetables. She never ate any junk food, she exercised daily. She brushed her teeth two to three times a day, and showered every morning. What could possibly be wrong with her health?

"You see Aria, your blood tests showed that you are positive for a condition called Cardiovascular Debt. This means that because of your pregnancy, your body isn't getting enough blood that it needs in order to keep you alive. There is a treatment that can heal you. It's just a simple blood transfusion three times a week for the next three months, and after that, you're body will have the right amount of blood that it needs to survive," Doctor Ranaldi explained.

"I'll do it. I'll do anything. My baby needs me, I'm his or her mother." Aria said, as she cried.

"I'm not finished yet, Aria. There is a catch. If I were to inject you with these transfusions, your baby would also be getting them. But because your baby is a different blood type than you, Aria, it would effectively kill him or her. But if you do not take these transfusions, you will die the minute you are finished giving birth, due to the excess loss of blood, if you even make it long enough to give birth, that is." Aria cried harder. The tears came pouring down, as she was faced with this decision that just made her perfect life so completely imperfect.

"But besides this... My baby is fine?" Aria asked.

"Yes. The baby is perfectly healthy."

"Thank you doctor. I'll call you later this week with my decision," Aria told him.

"Okay. Let me know by Friday, because if you do decide that you want these transfusions, I would like to start as soon as possible," Doctor Ranaldi replied, trying to smile at Aria.

"I will." Doctor Ranaldi left the room, dismissing Aria. Aria headed out of the front doors, and towards her car. She sat in the drivers seat and cried, and cried some more – letting the tears stream out.

She held down the number three on her phone; the speed dial number for Spencer Hastings.

"Hello?" Spencer answered.

"I have bad news. Very, very bad news," Aria replied to her quickly, getting straight to the point. She explained everything the doctor told her to Spencer, crying as she did.

"Wow..." Spencer said. "I've never heard of anything like it," Spencer said. "What are you gonna do?"

"I don't know, Spence. But there is one thing I do know: Ezra deserves this baby. This baby's heart has already started beating, and I cannot be the one to stop it. I'm not getting the transfusions. I can't. I would never be able to live with myself," Aria told her. "Are you sure, Aria? Don't do this just because you think Ezra deserves this. It's your life, and no one should be the one to tell you whether or not you get to live it. It's completely up to you. Do not let anyone influence your decision. Not Ezra, not Byron, not Mike, and not Ella. Not me, not Hanna, not Em. Only you know what is best for you," Spencer told her.

"Thank you, Spencer. It really means a lot," Aria replied. "Anytime. I'm always here." Spencer said.

"Oh, and Spence? One more thing."

"Yeah?"

"Ezra cannot know about this."

[END OF CHAPTER 1. Please review :) ]