Unexpected

Chapter One

Chapter One

This opens with Ezra and Aria sitting on their couch together. Their adopted baby, Katherine, is napping upstairs. Aria's resting her head on Ezra's chest and has one arm wrapped around him. Ezra's arm is also wrapped around Aria. Their fingers are interlocked with their free hands.

Aria sighs and says "As much as I'd love to stay here with you and do nothing all day, we really have to pick up around here."

Ezra let out a sigh as well and asked "Are you feeling better after what happened this morning?" He was referring to Aria waking up and immediately rushing over to the bathroom to vomit.

"Yeah. I haven't felt queasy in hours."

That was true, but Aria failed to mention that her entire body was aching with cramps, mostly in her stomach.

They got up and began to get their house in order. They were still living in the loft above The Brew since they hadn't found the right house yet. They wanted to find the perfect home before having to move. Not having found it yet, living in the loft was their only choice, but they certainly didn't mind.

While cleaning, Aria winced a lot due to the discomfort of her cramps. Ezra picked up on this after a while and asked "Hey, are you okay?"

Aria cringed a little when she said "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just cramps. I'm sure they'll pass soon." She wasn't sure who she was trying to convince, Ezra or herself. Aria gave Ezra a small reassuring smile before continuing to tidy up.

Despite what Aria told him, Ezra was still wary about how truthful Aria was being. They had known each other for so long; Ezra knew when Aria wasn't telling him the truth. She couldn't look him in the eye when she lied to him and neither could he. Every time Aria said she was feeling fine, she didn't look Ezra in the eye. Ezra didn't want to pry; he knew that if Aria was keeping something from him, it was to protect him and not make him worry. He was still going to keep a close eye on her though.

After another day of waking up and immediately running to the bathroom to vomit, Aria figured she had some kind of stomach bug and it would pass soon enough. Ezra grew increasingly worried as he witnessed and helped Aria as she sprinted to the bathroom to vomit. Her cramps didn't seem to get any better either. Aria's body ached all over, especially in her back and stomach. It became hard for either of them to get any work done with Ezra having to take care of Aria and their very young daughter, Katherine. Fortunately, Katherine was a calm  baby, but it didn't make it much easier for Ezra. Aria felt guilty for making Ezra jump through all these hoops for her. She wanted to let Ezra know that she was capable of getting through this strange illness without having him go through all this trouble. But of course, Aria knew no matter how much she reassured Ezra, he'd proceed in helping her get through this. That's who he was.

With Aria not feeling well, she couldn't get much work done on her book drafts for Jillian. Aria would feel too tired, nauseous, or achy to do anything. Ezra couldn't get much work done either considering he had two people to care for on his own.

After a little over a week, Aria's cramps and nausea seemed to have settled down a bit. Aria managed to actually get some work done which allowed Ezra to do the same. Even though she was noticeably doing better, Ezra was still keeping a close eye on Aria.

Aria was in the kitchen putting away the dishes from their last meal while Ezra was upstairs putting Katherine down for a nap. Ezra went back down to the kitchen afterwards.

"Hey, can you help me with those?" asked Aria.

Ezra happily obliged. He was working up the courage to ask Aria how she was feeling after a few days. Ezra wanted an honest answer but wasn't sure Aria would give it to him.

"So... how are you feeling?" Ezra finally asked.

That question took Aria by surprise. She stood there, staring down at the plates in her hands. It took her a few seconds to answer but when she did she said "I'm fine," while putting some dishes away.

Ezra wasn't convinced. "Are you sure?" he asked again.

Aria, slightly irritated, replied "Yes Ezra, I'm sure." Again, Aria looked away from Ezra while answering his question.

"Then why haven't you looked me in the eye every time you said you were feeling fine?"
Aria stopped what she was doing and just stood there for a second. She turned around to face Ezra. Holding his hands in hers and looking Ezra in the eye this time, Aria cleared her throat and said "Ezra, I'm fine, really. I'm sure it's just some kind of bug."

"You've been saying that for the past week Aria. I'm worried about what's going on."

"There's nothing to worry about. Really."

Aria looked into his eyes before giving Ezra a quick kiss on the lips and then saying "I'm gonna go check on Katherine."

Ezra stood there, leaning against the counter, still not completely convinced Aria was telling him the truth.