Awhile later, Ezra and I were at home printing out pictures of our wedding and the pictures that Emily had taken for an at-home photo shoot. These pictures consisted mostly of my baby bump and Ezra and I with something pink or baby girl-related. We got one of Seraphina's ultrasound pictures and I wrote her full name on the back. Then, slipped the photos into a folder which would be delivered to my old house.
I was nervous about going over to the house to deliver it because once it was out of my hands, our secret wouldn't be a secret anymore. I told Ezra that if my father was home, I would only leave it under the door. I hardly knew my father as my dad anymore. To me, he was Byron Montgomery. Nothing more, nothing less. If my mom was the only one in the house, however, I would give it to her myself.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked me as I grabbed my purse and sweater, kissing me on my head. I leaned my head upwards and kissed him on the lips. We we finally broke our lip lock, I smiled at him.
"I'm sure. My mom needs to know that we're okay. Unlike Byron, my mom will hopefully be able to still love me after I give her this." I replied, holding onto the folder of pictures. He hugged me again and I held on to him tightly.
"I'm positive she will. Your mother loves you." He said, kissing me and putting his hands on my stomach.
"I hope you're right. But, it won't matter if she's able to love me again or not. I'm more worried about Sera coming into the world without a loving grandmother or grandfather." I replied, putting my smaller hands over his, which still rested on my small baby bump.
"She will always love you, Aria. And as for Sera, she will always have you and me and her three really loving illegitimate aunts." He reassured me, kissing me again.
"You're right, Ez. Let's go." I replied, holding his hand. We locked up the house and got in the car. Soon, we were passing the 'Welcome to Rosewood' sign and even closer to bringing this web of lies down with nothing more than a single truth which was, in my life, very uncommon. That was about to change, though. I was sure of that.
About twenty minutes later, Ezra and I were standing on the doorstep of my old family home and were about to knock on the door. My dad's car wasn't there, so he was probably out doing something. I clutched the folder with the pictures in it tightly and Ezra put his arm around my shoulders and held me tight.
I raised my fist to knock, but I couldn't do it. I kept on trying, but to no avail. I wanted to break down crying, but I knew I had to see my mom. Just this once; even if it was for the last time. As I rested one of my small hands on the top of the bulge in my stomach, Ezra reassured me and I knocked twice on the mahogany door. I let go of Ezra's hand as I heard my mother's footsteps running across the floor to the door, almost like she was hoping that I would be there or at least someone with information about where I was.
I heard the lock click open and the doorknob beginning to turn, and I held my breath and prepared for the verbal beating of a lifetime. As the door opened, however, I did not feel any pain or anger. What I felt was a soft, silk blouse rubbing on my exposed arms and the sweet smell of my mother's hair product as she pulled me into a hug, which was the last thing I had expected her to do.
"Aria, I am so sorry. I didn't mean anything I said-"
"Mom, it's okay. Ezra and I have been fine." I replied, looking at her and smiling. She was crying now, and I really had to try to hold back my tears.
"I'm glad." She said, smiling. "Ezra, I want you to know that I am so sorry about what I said."
"Mrs. Montgomery, I want you to know that no apology is necessary. It was my fault for springing information like that on you." He replied, putting his hand on my shoulder.
After Ezra said this, my mom cocked her head slightly to the right like she usually does when she's confused. She looked down at my hand, which happened to be resting on my belly, and then back up at me with her left eyebrow raised.
"There's something different about you; I can feel it. Aria, I know you might not be too thrilled with me right now, but I know when you're hiding something from me." She said in a not so subtle attempt to draw a confession out of me. Luckily for her, an answer was coming her way very soon.
"There actually is something I- we -need to tell you. We came back to give you this. Mom, you deserve answers; and this'll give them to you." I said, handing her the folder. Ezra held my hand tightly and we both held our breaths as she looked at me and opened the folder.
She looked at the one of our wedding, and gasped as she realized she had seen this scene before. In this picture, Ezra and I looked like the happiest couple alive, and we were. In fact, we still are and we always will be. He was holding me bridal style on the steps leading up to the church. He was holding me close and I was laughing and crying all at once in that moment as we shared a passionate kiss.
I looked up at Ezra, and I could practically see the beads of sweat on his brow. I raised my hand to his face and softly stroked his cheek. He smiled and put his larger hand on mine.
"Aria, that was you? At that wedding I saw in town?" She asked, in between gasps. I nodded and held Ezra's hand even tighter. We waited for her to flip to the next photo, and when she did, I was convinced that she'd slam the door in my face.
Instead, she covered her mouth in shock with her hand as she looked at one of the pictures Emily had taken of my baby bump. Ezra and I were still holding our breaths as she carefully flipped to the next photo: Sera's ultrasound picture. She flipped it over and read the name on the back of the photo. I gently rubbed my belly out of nervousness and I laid my other hand on the slope of my protruding abdomen once again. As I looked at her, I saw a single tear slide dolefully down her right cheek.
"Mom, I don't expect you to be okay with this. I don't expect you to ever be happy for me. If you want us to leave and never come back, I understand." I said, letting a few tears slide down my cheeks. Ezra hugged me and wrapped his arms under my own so that they rested on my belly. I smiled weakly before continuing.
"We're pregnant." I said as Ezra placed a soft kiss on the top of my head.
After a whole minute of absolute silence, my mother finally spoke again. When she did, her voice was wavering still; and that was enough to let me know that she was having a very difficult time comprehending this bombshell of a truth.
"You're going to have a baby?" She asked as she kept her eyes on the picture of her unborn granddaughter's ultrasound.
"Yeah." I replied, smiling weakly at my mother who was now breaking down in tears. "A baby girl."
After I said that, she wouldn't even look at me. She didn't understand why I was so afraid to tell her. She didn't understand the fear I had of her not being able to love me again. I didn't expect her to understand anything at this point. What I wanted her to know was that she was going to have a granddaughter in less than five months; and that I didn't want Byron involved with this at all.
She stood there, letting tears stream down her cheeks, for what felt like an eternity. I just wanted to go home with Ezra and forget about ever telling my mom. But, I was in this neck deep now and I couldn't turn back now. I just hoped that she'd break the silence and I wouldn't have to. Thankfully, she did.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She whispered, still looking down at the picture. I was crying now; but I still felt like I could breathe again.
"Honestly, Ezra and I both thought that you and Byron never wanted to see us again. I'm so sorry, Mom." I replied as I looked back at Ezra who was now more nervous than before; if that was even possible.
"I don't want you to be sorry. I want to know the truth." She replied, looking down at the picture. She lifted her head slowly and looked at me with pain in her eyes. "How long have you and Ezra known?"
"Three months..." I admitted in a whisper. She closed her eyes and let even more tears fall. After a minute of silence, I finally spoke again.
"I can't tell if you want to hug me...or punch me..." I said slowly.
"Aria-" She began, pausing to wipe the tears from her face. "-I just don't know what to say. But what I really don't understand is why you would keep this from me. I'm your mother; and-"
Then, a look of sheer horror came across my face and I grew pale as I looked just over my mom's shoulder at Byron, who was casually walking down the stairs. I began to panic, and I put my hand over the folder my mom still held, closing it. She looked up at me in shock and I shook my head to keep her from speaking.
"Don't tell him. Please." I whispered as I grabbed Ezra's hand and hurried over to the car. Byron knew that we were there by now, and tried to catch us as we left. I told Ezra to drive, so he slammed his foot on the accelerator and we were on our way back home.
Ella Montgomery's Point of View:
I just stood there in complete and utter shock. What in the world just happened? My only daughter just dropped the world's largest truth bomb on me, and I don't even know what to say. I couldn't believe it; I was going to be a grandmother in less than five months. My little girl was going to have a little girl of her own. I didn't think she was telling the truth at first, but when I saw the look of sheer terror and fear in her eyes as she watched me look at her unborn daughter's ultrasound, I knew at once that she was being entirely truthful. As much as I didn't approve of her scandalous relationship with a former teacher, I was glad that she found someone who legitimately cared about her. Aria Marie Fitz. I never would've guessed that this is where my daughter would be at this point in her life, but she seems happy. They both do. And I guess that that's what really counts.
Then, my husband (whom I was filing for divorce from) walked back into the house after attempting to chase our daughter and Ezra Fitz in order to try and get answers himself. I was going to tell him about Aria and Ezra and the baby-Seraphina, but then I remembered the look of fear and anxiety in both their eyes as they handed over the folder. So, I stuffed the folder into my cardigan quickly and acted as if nothing was wrong. Little did they know, I was totally gonna frame all those photographs once this got cleared up. I might not be completely ecstatic about Seraphina quite yet, but I'm still happy for Aria. And my granddaughter is gonna be spoiled as hell once she gets here.
"My only daughter and her-statutory rapist of a boyfriend are now gone. Gone!" He yelled as he kicked the door with full force. He quickly grabbed his foot in pain as he looked at me, expecting me to say something.
"He's her husband, Byron! She loves him and he loves her! And they're going to-you know what, never mind!" I yelled back, ignoring my potential slip up and grabbing my coat. I was about to walk through the door and leave when I felt him harshly grab my arm, preventing me from leaving.
"He might have married her, but I'm still her father. And if you still cared about her, you'd do something about this." He said, holding onto my wrist until his knuckles began to whiten.
"Mike! Get in the car!" I yelled, grabbing Byron's hand and ripping it off me. I turned to look at him, and who I saw there was not the man I married. "Goodbye, Byron."
And with that, I grabbed Mike's hand and dragged him out the door by his sleeve. We got in the car and began driving. I didn't know where I was going, but I just kept driving. Soon, I looked at my son who was clutching a backpack of clothing and broke the silence.
"This is a stupid question; but do you happen to know where-"
I didn't even get to finish my sentence before Mike handed me a piece of paper with my daughter's new address on it. I looked at him with surprise and he just smiled.
"What? Mom, I officiated their marriage. I literally stood in the church with a Bible. You really should've seen me; that suit collar was so horrible. I looked like that therapist you used to send me to. You know the one; he was the old guy who had a bald patch on his head and smelled like a funeral home." He said with a chuckle, replying to the silence that filled the car as I plugged the address into the GPS and began driving in the direction it told me to go.
"You knew? For all this time?" I asked, clutching the steering wheel and looking at him. He shrugged and nodded. Is there anything that my children do tell me these days?
"Sorry, Mom; but even Mrs. Marin knew." He replied, laughing a little. I was beginning to feel really stupid for not figuring all this out sooner or realizing what the signs meant.
"Mom, I would've told you sooner, but I had to respect Aria's and Ezra's decision. And I don't think she didn't tell you because she was afraid of you. I think she didn't tell you because she was afraid of Dad." He added, handing me another picture. "This was the first photo of my niece that Aria gave me."
"How did I not see this coming?" I asked. "I mean, there must've been signs everywhere! God, I feel like the worst mother in the world."
"Ezra and Aria were really good at keeping it a secret. I only found out because she found me drunk and alone at Wright's Playground that one night." He replied, laughing. "She actually almost told you, but you were so drunk, Spencer's family let me stay in the guest room."
"I was not drunk." I replied, trying to defend myself. Honestly, that whole night was a blur. "I just had a rough night."
"Yeah, and I get that. But, I think Aria described the smell of your blouse as 'reeking with drunken, passionate tears'." He said, laughing even harder. I hit myself lightly on the side of the head as I realized that I must've been really drunk.
"My god, you're right. I'm sorry, Mike." I replied.
Soon, we were in the neighboring town and heading to the Fitz residence. Mike was giving me step-by-step directions to the house, and when we got there, I was suddenly overwhelmed with guilt for forcing like I forced my own daughter out of Rosewood.
"Aria and Ezra live here?" I asked, obviously shocked. The house was pretty tiny, but it was undeniably gorgeous. I could absolutely see my daughter living here. I just didn't think she'd be living with her old English teacher.
"It's really nice inside, too." He replied, making me jerk my head around to stare at him. He understood what I was asking and shrugged. "I may or may not have been over a couple times for dinner. What? It's not my fault my brother in law makes a mean chicken pasta."
Back to Aria's Point of View:
Ezra and I sat inside our house in the living room as he told me a story about how Wesley and he ran away from home with nothing but two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and two extra pairs of underwear, laughing at his childhood memory. I had my head on his lap; my shirt was pulled up and he had both of his hands on my stomach. We spent most of our evenings like this; and it was perfect.
"We literally carried two hobo sacks filled with nothing but sandwiches and underpants. Then, the cops found us and we ran for the hills...into our own garden." He said, laughing. I laughed with him and put my hands over his. He smiled and kissed me. He leaned over and kissed my belly as well. He then looked back up at me and I smiled.
"You're going to be the greatest dad in the world." I said, ruffling his deep mocha colored hair and he grinned at me.
"Our little Sera is going to be luckiest girl in the world. She's going to have a wonderful mom and dad that love her so much." He replied, pulling me in closer to his bare chest.
"And her three loving illegitimate aunts." I added, laughing. I gladly snuggled up close and we both closed our eyes.
About ten minutes later, Ezra and I were awoken by a knock on our front door. We both jolted awake and he put on his shirt as he walked to the door. I laid there, snuggled up with a blanket and pillow. Honestly, I was expecting Spencer, Emily, Hanna or all three to show up, as they're three of the people I had given my new address to. When he opened the door, however, I was completely shocked to see who I saw.
"Mrs. Montgomery. And Mike. What a lovely surprise." He said, trying to act normal as he wiped the sleep from his eyes. I sat up on the couch and looked at my mother and my little brother who stood just outside the door.
"Mom?" I asked, standing up. I walked over to the door and stood next to Ezra. "Why are you-how did you find us?"
"I gave her the address." Mike replied. I just looked at him. He probably thought I hated him, but it was quite the opposite. I loved him even more for bringing my mom here. Hopefully, she could forgive me. As I looked in my mom's eyes, however, I got a completely different vibe. She was scared. I, however, was anything but scared. I didn't have anything to fear; I was in MY house with MY husband. Then, I realized that she wasn't afraid of me. She was afraid of my dad.
"Aria, you were right. Byron is-dangerous." She said, letting a few tears slide down her face. I pained me to see my mother hurting like this, but I was also glad that she had finally realized why I was so scared of my own father.
"Mom, it's alright. You're safe here; with me and Ezra." I replied, pulling her into a hug. I looked at Ezra as I let go of my mom. He knew what I meant, but was already a step ahead of me.
"Babe, I'll get the guest room ready. Can I get you both anything?" He said as he began to walk to the hall closet which held all the linen.
"Ezra, I couldn't let you do that. Mike and I will be fine in a motel." She replied as she put her hand on Mike's shoulder.
"We insist, Mrs. Montgomery. You're my mother in law now. You all are like my first real family and I'd do anything for you-all of you. You're welcome at our home anytime." He said, smiling. I looked back at him and grinned.
"Please, Ezra," She began, wiping tears from her eyes,"call me Ella."
Ezra nodded and Mike left to give him a hand. I stayed with my mom in the living room. I sat her down on the couch and held her hand. She needed to be around the people who loved her and little did she know, Ezra already loved her like a mother.
"Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee? Whiskey? Absinthe? God knows I won't be drinking anytime soon." I asked her. She shook her head politely and laughed. I smiled back and looked at her. I couldn't believe how much living with Byron had changed her, especially after the incident in the hospital. Her eyes had lost the spark they once had and she hardly smiled genuinely anymore.
When I held her hand in mine, however, the sleeve of her cardigan was perturbed by the sudden movement and my mother's bare wrist was revealed. I looked down at her hand and saw a fresh mark on the skin just below her knuckles, probably indentations made by fingernails. Her wrist looked like someone had handcuffed her, and the subtle redness was the focal point of her hand.
"Mom," I began, holding her wrist up to the light so I could get a closer look at the injury. "did he do this to you?"
"The conversation was heated and we argued. This was just a result of our disagreement." She replied in a harsh whisper.
"Don't defend him! He left a mark on your skin. A mark not caused by love, but by hatred. You can't go back there. I won't let you. And God forbid he hurts Mike. No; you're staying here for awhile." I exclaimed out of shock and ire.
"You're right. You're completely right. But the man who hurt you and Ezra and me is not the man I married, and he is not the man who helped me raise you and your brother. He's not well." She responded trying to hold back tears.
"Mom, I love you too much to let you go back there. You're staying here, and so is Mike. This is not what love looks like." I implied, holding her wrist gently to get my point across. After a moment of silence, my mother finally spoke again; and I knew that she understood where I had been coming from all this time. As she sat there with my in my living room, I noticed something different about her. She had a look of happiness in her eyes, one that I had not seen in awhile. When she smiled, you could practically see the love in her heart spark up like a bonfire.
"Aria, I can't begin to describe how proud I am of you right now in this moment." She said, putting her hand on my face. I smiled and had to hold back tears. My parents always had unique ways of hinting at their love for me. They hardly ever said 'I love you' or even how proud they were. This was the first time I had ever heard her say that she was proud of me; and her words would forever remain in my memory. I hugged her and she hugged me back.
"I mean, look at you! You look like me when I was pregnant with you." She added after we pulled away from each other. She put her hands on my stomach and smiled. "Aria, I don't care what happens; you will always be my baby girl. And now, my baby girl is going to have her own baby girl."
"Mom-" I managed to squeak out before tears began to fall down my cheeks and we hugged again.
"I can't wait to meet Sera." She whispered as we hugged. I quickly pulled away in surprise and she was now crying.
"Really?" I asked, wiping tears from my own eyes. "Mom, you have no idea how much that means to me."
"I'm sure she'll be just as smart, beautiful and kindhearted as both you and Ezra are." She said, hugging me again.
After I got my mother and Mike settled into the guest room, I crawled into bed with Ezra. He was reading Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of his personal favorites. Okay, who was I kidding? Ezra loved MOST literature. The only time I've ever seen him hate a book, it was a very passionate hate. He literally threw the book across his old apartment. When Ezra is passionate about his love for something, he's like a dog with a bone. He doesn't let go.
As soon as he saw me, he set his book down and put his arm around me. I laid my hand on his bare chest and rested my head on his arm. He smiled and kissed me.
"How's your mom doing?" He asked, running his fingers through my hair.
"She's better. She told me she can't wait to meet Sera." I replied as I snuggled closer to him. He sat up and propped himself there with his elbow and his eyes held a look that screamed with excitement.
"I'm so glad, babe." He said, smiling. He put his free hand on my belly and I kissed him.
"Have I ever told you how much I love you?" He asked, cupping my face with his hand.
"You tell me that everyday." I replied, putting my hand on his. "And I'll never get tired of hearing it."
"Good," He began,"because I'll never stop saying it. I love you, Aria."
"I love you too, Ezra." I replied as I kissed him. He smiled and bent slightly to kiss my stomach.
"And I love you, Sera." He whispered, putting both hands on my stomach. Sera was kicking now and we could occasionally feel her doing so. Ezra felt our daughter's movements and sat up. He had tears in his eyes now, and so did I.
"She already loves you." I said, laughing. Ezra smiled and hugged me tightly. We laid back down and fell asleep in each other's arms.
Author's Note: Okay. I feel absolutely awful! I'm so sorry for not updating for so long! I just came out to my family, and their reactions ranged from messy to bad. I know that's not an excuse, but it's been a hell of a week. I didn't know how biphobic my family was until I came out of the closet...
Putting my personal issues aside, this chapter was one of my favorite ones to write, which is one of the reasons why it's so dang long! I felt obligated to make this a good one because of how long it was taking me to get it published, so I really hope you like it! As always, I love hearing your thoughts.
AND THAT PROPOSAL LAST WEEK WAS INCREDIBLE. I THINK THE NEIGHBORS HEARD MY SCREAMS OF JOY. MY BABIES ARE GETTING MARRIED. SHE'S GONNA SAY YES. SHE HAS TO. SH*T'S GONNA HIT THE FAN IF SHE DOESN'T.
In other news, will Ezria finally get their happy ending? Or will other obstacles emerge and ruin their relationship? Will Ella finally escape her doomed marriage with Byron? What's going on with the other ships while Ezria has been center stage? Find out SOON!
Kisses,
Delaney R. L.