Title - Ezria in LA.
Characters - Aria and Ezra
Story Summery - Following the adventures of Ezrias life as the years passed by. Starts 10 years after Arias High School Graduation. Ezria is married and they live in a big house in Los Angeles, California. Ezra is a teacher at LAs most known private school and Aria is a singer still struggling to become famous. Can they balance their relationship and a family or will their marriage fall apart when Aria gets offered an opportunity of a lifetime?
Paternity Test Day.
Arias POV
I woke up to the sound of an alarm clock going off. It was Friday meaning I had another meeting to go to. I was not only singing at a charity Christmas concert in a two and a half months but I was also on the committee to help plan it. I decided to help out planing because I needed something to help keep my mind off other things. I woke up alone again because Ezra had slept on the couch in the family room downstairs for the past few nights. I was beginning to wonder if he would ever forgive me.
We hadn't talked to each other that much over the past few days so when Ezra walked into our room to get ready for the day I tried to talk to him.
"So when are you going to stop sleeping on the couch? Ezra, the kids are getting really confused and Riley is the only one that knows part of the what is going on." I asked
"I don't know Aria. I wish I could give you the answer that you want but you were hiding something really huge from me and I can't just forgive you for it overnight." Ezra said
"Just think about sleeping in here tonight. No matter which way that paternity test goes Riley is still going to Love You and so will I." I said
"I'll pick Riley up from school and we'll go get that test done. I already arranged for the baby sitter to pick Lucy up from Kindergarten so you can meet us there. How much have you told Riley about whats going on." Ezra said
"All she basically knows is that they do a check swab and they do a finger prick to get a little bit a blood. I told her that they take the DNA and the Blood so they can see the genetic component that the child gets from each parent. I'm just glad that we arranged for Jason to get the test done yesterday so it doesn't have to be weird for Riley when she gets her part of the test done." I said
"I am just going to take a shower and then go to work so I'll be out of your way really soon." Ezra said
"Your not in my way. I have to go get the kids up and ready for school anyway." I said
I got the kids ready for school and then I got myself ready. I dropped Riley off at school.
"Concentrate at school today please. Don't worry about your dad and I because we are going to work things out." I said as Riley got out of the car.
I was on my way to dropping Lucy off at Kindergarten when she asked me a question I didn't think a five year old would ask.
"Are you and Daddy going to get a divorce." Lucy asked
"No, we just have some things that we need to work out. How do you even know that word anyway?" I asked
"This set of twins in my class told me that their parents were getting a divorce and that their daddy was leaving town." Lucy said
"I promise that will never happen to our family." I said
I went to the meeting and then after that I went home to eat lunch. A short time after that I went to meet Ezra and Riley. The test didn't take as long as I thought it was. I was basically only their for moral support. I got my check swabbed anyway even though I knew what the my half of the results would be since I gave birth to Riley. We would found out the results of the test Monday at the latest. Riley went home with Ezra. I picked up Lucy and then went home.
Ezras POV
Now we had to wait to find out who was the actual biological father of Riley is. I was praying that it was going to be me. It would be easier on all of us but we would work something out with Jason if he was the biological father. Riley started asking me questions that I wasn't sure how to answer.
"What was this test really about?" Riley asked
"Your mom and I will tell you more once we know the results." I said
"If this is what you and mom are fighting about then I want to know now." Riley said
"It's complicated Riley and we don't want to tell you unless we have to." I said
"I already know whats going on, I heard you and mom fighting. I just want you to admit that Jason is my biological dad and your not." Riley said
I had to put that thought out of my head and concentrate on driving.
"Riley, those words you just said really hurt. We won't know for sure until the results come in." I said
"I'm really sorry daddy." Riley said
Riley only uses daddy instead of dad when she is really serious about something so I knew she really meant it.
"No matter what happens just remember I am the one that helped your mom raise you. She moved to LA because of me. You would have a very different life if your mom and I broke our relationship off the day I told her I had a job offer in Los Angles, California and I was taking it." I said
Flashback/Memory - Just over 10 years ago
It was the middle of August and I just excepted a new position to be a high school english teacher at LA Private Academy in Los Angles, California. I had been contemplating for weeks if I should stay here in Rosewood, Pennsylvania or leave to take a really great job offer in California. Aria doesn't even know about this yet. I figured she was to busy dealing with our daughter Riley who is almost 1 year old and I knew she would tell me not to take it so I didn't even bother talking to her about it.
Aria just got back with Riley from the Mommy and me class at the community recreation center that she just started this summer. She put Riley down in the crib for her nap and then she got some food for herself to eat.
"You want anything to eat?" Aria asked
"No, thanks I already ate a little while ago." I said
I joined Aria in the tiny apartment kitchen.
"We gotta do something about these living arrangements. For the two of us this limited space could work but eventually Rileys going to need her own room. When she grows out of the crib in like the next 9 to 12 months were going to need to find another place to live." Aria said
"Not to mention that we haven't had any private time together since she was born." I said
"Thats just how it works Ezra. The baby becomes your number one priority and sometimes your romantic relationship suffers. Aria said
"Have you ever thought of moving out of Rosewood or Pennsylvania?" I asked
"I have but Rosewood is my home, My family is here, my friends are here, and more importantly you are here." Aria said
"Would you consider leaving Rosewood if it meant bringing Riley with you and moving to Los Angeles, California with me?" I asked
"No, I can't just leave Ezra I have plans. I am starting night classes at Rosewood Community College and you are watching Riley while I am in class." I said
"Well I can't exactly do that anymore. I already accepted a job at LA Private Academy and I am leaving in 10 days." Ezra said
"How can you make that sort of decision without consulting me first?" I yelled
"I tried to Aria for 3 months but I knew that you would tell me to turn it down." Ezra said
"You knew about this for three months. I thought you quit your job at Rosewood High because you wanted to help me with Riley more but apparently you quit because you already had another job offer located on the other side of the country." I yelled
"I didn't quit, I was fired Aria." Ezra said
"So you lied to me Ezra. You need to leave, Just go to LA and forget all about me and our daughter." Aria yelled
"I'm sorry but this job offer is a great opportunity for both of us. They offered me an apartment and the school is paying the rent for the first year. It's a two bedroom so I thought it would be great for us. Plus I figured that hopefully in a years time we would have saved up enough money to put a down payment on a house. I know LA housing is expensive but I would be earning more then double the salary that I earned at Rosewood high and it includes Health insurance benefits, Sick pay, and Holiday pay that I didn't have before." I said
"Well when you put it that way it does sound like a great opportunity for you. I can't believe that you wouldn't even talk to me first. Where I am supposed to leave because I can't go with you at least not right now." Aria asked
"You could go back to your parents house. You lived there before and Riley lived there for her first 8 months." I said
"I didn't leave my parents house by choice Ezra, they kicked me out. It was mostly my dad but my mom didn't even try to defend me. Mike tried but my parents just think that he is going to end up just like me and get a teenage girl pregnant before he graduates high school. You weren't the one that got pregnant at 16. I was 17 by the time Riley was born but still. I'm just grateful that my parents let me stay there until I was 18 and a high school graduate. Besides the fact that I almost didn't graduate on time because I missed a lot of the beginning of my senior year. You can go to LA and forget about being a dad while I am stuck here trying to balance being a mom and getting some sort of higher education." Aria Yelled
"See another lie, I wasn't the only one hiding things in this relationship. You didn't even tell me that you were pregnant until you started showing and I confronted you about it." I yelled
Riley woke up and started crying.
"I guess we'll continue this fight later because right now I have a daughter to quiet down." Aria said
Aria went to calm Riley down and before anymore words were said I left our apartment. If I couldn't get Aria to change her mind then I knew I had to do something to keep her from breaking up with me. I thought that maybe if I reasoned with Arias parents they would let her come back home. I went to where Aria used to live and rang the doorbell. Arias brother Mike answered the door.
"You shouldn't be here?" Mike said
"I just wanted to try and get your parents to let Aria come stay here. My apartment is just too small for the three of us and I think Aria would like some time back here with Riley. She needs her own space and she doesn't get that living with me." I said"
"My dad is never going to let that happen and you need to leave before my parents see you here. You know what happened the day you told my parents that you were in love with and dating my sister." Mike said
I left not wanted to make the situation any worse. That plan didn't work but there was one other thing I could do. I called my landlord and told him to meet me at cafe near my apartment building. If I couldn't get Arias parents to let here live with them then the one thing I could do was make sure she had a place to stay after I left. I gave my land lord a rent check for the next four months. This way Aria could live in my apartment through the end of the year. I went back to my apartment after that. Aria was watching Riley crawl around the living room aria of my apartment. She was sitting on the couch and I could tell that her face was red and puffy so she must have been crying.
"She will be walking before we know it." I said
"I can't believe Riley will be one in a month." Aria said
I sat down next to her.
"I know you probably hate me right now but I just paid the rent through the end of the year so you have a place to stay for right now." I said
"Thanks." Aria said
"I had to do something for you and our daughter, If you don't want to come with me to LA I completely understand but just know that I love you Aria and we will find a way to be together again soon." I said
"Are you breaking up with me?" Aria asked
"No, Aria we have to at least try and make long distance work. If you need me to send you money for food, things for Riley, or even something for you don't be afraid to ask me. Promise to keep me updated and let me know how Riley is doing. I'll give you my new address so if you're ever ready to come to LA, I'll be waiting for you." I said
Aria and I barley spoke to each other for the last week and a half that I was still in Rosewood.
End of Flashback/Memory
Arias POV
Later that night we got the kids ready for bed and after they were asleep Ezra and I had another conversation. I was already in My pajamas and reading a book in our room. I put down her book so we could talk.
"How old were you when your parents got divorced?" I asked
"12 but Wesley was 5 years old at the time. Why did you ask?" Ezra asked
"Lucy asked me if we were getting a divorce. I told her that we just had some things that we needed to work out and that wasn't going to happen to our family." I said
"How does a 5 year old have that word in her vocabulary anyway?" Ezra asked
"She said their is a set of twins in her kindergarten class whose parents are getting a divorce and the dad is moving away." I said
"That explains it, Riley asked me to admit the fact that Jason was her biological father and not me. She said it in a really rude and hurtful way to." Ezra said
"That doesn't sound like her." I said
"She apologized after she said it. I told Riley to remember that I was the one that helped raise her, and that her life would have been a lot different If you and I broke up after I took the job here in LA." Ezra said
"When you first moved to LA and we spent those few months apart, I really didn't think that we were ever going to be together again as a family. I overreacted that day that you told me about the job offer and I am the reason that we spent almost 4 months apart." I said
Flashback/Memory - 10 Years ago
Ezra left for LA almost a month ago. I had started classes at Rosewood Community college. They had a daycare on Campus that I used even though I really didn't like the idea of having to put Riley in daycare. She was in daycare before while I was in my senior year of high school but I was really counting on having Ezra to be there to help me with babysitting. I was able to switch my schedule around so I didn't have to take night classes anymore.
Mike stepped up and decided to help me. I also had help from Ezras brother Wesley although he was also in college. I felt bad for Riley when her first birthday arrived and she didn't have her dad their to celebrate it. Ezra did call me to wish Riley a happy birthday.
"How is my little girl?" Ezra asked
"She's doing great. She hasn't started walking yet but she did say her first words today. She said "Mama" Maybe she will say "Dada" if she hears your voice on the phone." I said
I put the phone on speaker so Riley could hear. Sure enough she said "Dada" after she heard Ezras voice.
"Happy birthday Riley. Daddy loves and misses you." Ezra said
"Its only been a month but it feels like its been a lot longer. I don't know how much longer I can do this."I said
"You know you can finish out the semester and then come to LA. There are community colleges here in LA." Ezra said
"I'll think about it. Guess whose house Riley and I are about to go to for dinner?" I asked
"Your parents, did they finally decide that they want to be in their granddaughters life?" Ezra asked
"No actually your mothers house. Wesley has been helping me a lot and your mother decided she wanted to be in Riley life. Mike has helped me to and my mother actually called me the other day. My dad is the only one who hasn't made any effort to be in Rileys life." I said
I went to Ezra's moms house. I couldn't believe how nice she was being to me. I texted Ezra some pictures of Riley, Ezras mom, Wesley, my mom, and Mike all celebrating Rileys birthday.
Halloween arrived and then it was Thanksgiving. The semester at RCC was almost over. I had applied to Los Angeles community college. Ezra was right it was probably best for Riley if I left Rosewood and went to LA. I had learned from Mike that our parents were going through separation again. They hadn't even been back together for a year yet. They never got remarried and they probably never were going to. Thanksgiving dinner was at my parents house this time since my dad didn't live there anymore.
"You know now that your dads not living here you can come back home if you want." My mom said
"Aria, you should come back home." Mike said
"I have to go somewhere with in the next month. The rent is only paid for another month and the renters contract is up. Ezra wants me to finish the semester and then meet him in LA but I'm still not sure if that's what I want to do." I said
"I think you should go to LA then. Riley needs her dad. My dad left Ezra and my mom when I was really young but you don't have to let Riley grow up without her dad." Wesley said
"She still has her dad though. We talk to each other on the phone every few days." I said
"You should go to LA. Rileys already spent her first birthday and her second thanksgiving without her dad. Riley doesn't need to spend her second Christmas without her dad as well." Ezras mom said
I called Ezra that night.
"I'm bringing Riley and flying out to LA for Christmas." I told Ezra
"Are you staying just for the holiday?" Ezra asked
"No actually I'm buying a one way ticket." I said
"Thats great, what changed your mind?" Ezra asked
"Your mom actually. She told me that Riley shouldn't have to spend another holiday without her dad." I said
"I can't wait to see you and Riley." Ezra said
The day arrived that I made the move to LA. Ezras apartment was still on the small side but it had two bedrooms and it was the perfect amount of space for the three of us. Christmas day arrived and Riley gave us the best present of all because she stared walking that day. Ezra and I could finally call LA home. Ezras LA apartment was now known as our apartment.
End of Flashback/Memory
"I was the one that was wrong to take a job on the other side of the country when I would be leaving my future wife and my daughter." Ezra said
"Well we worked things out after all. You are the best husband that I could have asked for. You are great with our kids and I love you for that." I said
It was the first time in a few weeks that both of us where actually happy.
Ezras POV
The paternity test results arrived a few days later. Aria and I opened the envelope together. We weren't happy with the results but Aria and I could get through this. Jason DiLaurentis was indeed the biological father of Riley. It was going to be different but she was still my daughter. I was the one that raised her. I may not have been there for all her important first milestones but I was there for most of them. Later that day Aria and I had talked to Riley before we had to pick Lucy up from Kindergarten.
"You may not completely understand this at your age but this test did confirm that Jason is your bio dad." I said
"So some guy I barley know is my dad?" Riley asked
"If your talking genetics yes but that doesn't change how your dad feels about you." Aria said
"So is Lucy not my sister then?" Riley asked
"Technically shes your half sister. You two can still love each other like sisters. This doesn't have to change that." I said
"How are we a family then? Riley asked
"Your 3 Aunts Emily, Hanna, and Spencer are not my blood related siblings. We grew up together and we are all best friends so we call each other sisters. Family is not about genetics its all about love." Aria said
"Why didn't you tell me this sooner. You let me believe for 11 years that you were my dad and all of the sudden this other guy turns out to be my dad." Riley yelled and then left the room
"You need to apologize to your father right now Riley. He loves you now just as much as he did yesterday and when you were first born." Aria said but Riley had already stormed off.
"Just let her calm down Aria. I will talk to her later." I said
"I'm really sorry. I really thought see would have my point of view on this. We are together as a family no matter what." Aria said
"It's not your fault. She's 11 and she just doesn't understand the situation." I said
"Well I don't want her to stop calling you dad and start calling Jason dad." Aria said
"She won't do that." I said
"How do you know?" Aria asked
"DNA doesn't make a family, Love does. You should go pick up Lucy and I will tell Riley what I just told you." I said
Later on that night both kids were asleep. We were getting ready to go to bed ourselves.
"Did you talk to Riley?" Aria asked
"Yes, she apologized to me. I hope see really meant it." I said
"I am sure she did. It's going to take all of us some time to get used to the situation. I know it must be really hard for you." Aria said
"Did you ever think that I wasn't Rileys biological dad before Jason moved here and complicated things?" I asked
"No, if I had even thought that there was a little chance then I would have been upfront and honest with you." Aria said
"Well we haven't always been upfront and honest with each other." I said
"From now on we will be and that is why I am telling you this right now. Jason called me when you were out getting carry out Chinese for dinner. He's willing to meet with both of us so we can discuss things with him." Aria said
"What does he want from us?" I asked
"He wants partial custody of Riley. He said he was willing to settle for as little as spending one or two days/nights a month with her." Aria said
"So like every other Saturday or something like that." I said
"Personally I don't think we should give him any custody. Riley needs to see Jason as her choir teacher and that's it." Aria said
"Yes, I agree but if we don't give Jason what he wants then he is going to take us to court and we don't want to risk losing a custody battle against him." I said
"What if we won the custody battle and then Jason would have no legal right to see Riley outside of school." Aria said
"The court won't see it our way. They are going to look at the paternity test results and see that Biologic wise Riley belongs to Jason." I said
"If we were able to prove Jason as an unfit father then we would win for sure." Aria said
"How we would do that?" I asked
"Remember when you came home from the baseball game that night. You heard the end of the fight that Jason and I had. That night he told me that he had two kids of his own. Jasons son Noah is currently 7 and daughter Alexandra is currently 5. Jason and their mother got divorced 3 years ago. Jason had split 50/50 custody of both of them at first. One night he got a ticket for a DUI. The kids were in their car seats in the backseat sleeping at the time. Jason went to Jail for Driving Under The Influence of Alcohol. According to him he wasn't that drunk. He said he was just a little bit over the .08 limit that night but he used to lie to me all the time about his drinking habits. That's why Jason and I broke up in the first place. His ex's Lawyer made a deal with him that if he agreed to give up the 50/50 custody of his kids then he could be let off the hook for the DUI. He chose to loose the custody of his kids because he didn't want to spend several years in Jail. At the time he had a management company in Nashville. He was in charge of several country singers one of them had even been Taylor Swift at the time. He lost his business do to the economy and then moved to LA after he got the job offer to be the choir director at LA Private Academy." Aria said
"Wow so that explains why he wants to be involved in Rileys life. This poor guy lost everything and now he thinks he can get involved in our daughters life." I said
"I could tell you plenty more stories about Jason but you probably don't want to hear them since most of them are back in the day when Jason and I were dating." Aria said
"What did you ever see in Jason?" I asked
"At the time he was a really great first boyfriend but sometimes I wish I had met you first. I lost my virginity to him. I had just turned 16 when it happened. Jason and I broke up a short time after that." Aria said
"Thats ok Aria we all make mistakes. My first time was really bad. It happened at a party and it was with some random girl that went to my high school." I said
"I really don't want to hear about Ezra." Aria said
Aria kissed me and I knew exactly what she wanted. We were as quiet as we could be so we didn't wake up the kids. After a while both of us were tired and we cuddled together.
"I love you Aria." I said
"I love you too Ezra." Aria said
Then we both fell asleep still cuddled up next to each other.
Discussion Questions
What did you think of the flashbacks? Which flashback did you like better - The first one from Ezras POV or the second one from Arias POV?
Are Aria and Ezra going to let Jason be in Rileys life?
Should Jason get any custody of Riley?
Will Ezra and Riley be able to bond like father/daughter or will things be different now?
Is Ezria headed in the right direction to work things out with each other?
Thanks you so much for reading and please review. Reviewing helps me write this story. Also PM me if you would like.
What I would like from you readers is a few other characters that I can use in this story. They can be adults or children of any age. I am planning on using other PLL characters in this story but they will have minor parts compared to Aria and Ezra. Submit your character by either a review or by private message.
I also would like ideas for this story. You can submit those ideas either by a review or private message. I would love it if my readers can help me write the story along the way.
Also the title might be changed. So any title ideas can be submitted in a review or by private mess