Chasing Fate

Chapter 13

{150 reads! Wow, it's honestly unbelievable! I know its nothing compared to the majority of writers on here, but it's still a major milestone for me (:}

5 years later

Ezra's POV

"God, guys, shes beautiful" I said, in awe at Emily and Alison's newly adopted baby girl, Harper. They both smiled as we made our way to the backyard. Aria was behind me, taking off the kids' shoes. I turned around to see her already looking at me, and she stood back up from where she was squatted on the floor. We watched as our two children, Charlotte, who was 6, and Liam, who was 3, ran into the yard where the rest of their cousins were. I wrapped my arms around Aria's pregnant belly, and she smiled. We were eagerly expecting number three, and we couldn't be any happier.

We made our way to the backyard where all of our friends and family were. We were having a welcome home party for Ali and Emily's 3 month old daughter, who they recently adopted. Spencer and her husband, Toby, were seated on the patio swing. They were each holding one of their children; they had 2 year old twins, Ella and Aidan. I turned to my left and saw Hanna sitting with Caleb on two lawn chairs, both of their children sitting with them. Violet was 4 and was sitting on Caleb's lap, and Athena was almost a year old and was being held in Hanna's arms. I joined Aria at the patio table, where she was cooing at Harper. Emily and Ali were watching happily, as they wrapped their arms around each other.

I smiled, remembering the joy of being first-time parents, and it made me even more excited to have another baby soon. Aria was nearly 8 months pregnant, and her pregnancy had been rough. She had been on bed-rest since nearly the beginning, as she had multiple complications. Now was one of the rare occasions where the doctors allowed her to leave the house for long periods of time, and she was overjoyed to be in fresh air again.

Eventually we had to hand Harper back to her proud parents, and i began to help Caleb and Toby at the barbeque.

"Wow, isn't this crazy?" Toby said, without looking up from the grill.

"What is?" Caleb asked, who was changing Athena's diaper.

"That we're all parents And married, and changing diapers! Like, it's mind blowing. We all started off as bachelors, and look at us now. Damn, how times change!" Toby said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, though. Being a dad has become the best thing that's ever happened to me, after marrying Aria, of course" I said, laughing.

They all nodded in agreement as we continued grilling the food.

ººº

"Okay, Char, how about you go up to bed and I'll come in a few minutes to tuck you in?" I asked my daughter, and she nodded happily, skipping up the stairs.

"Liam, buddy, come here for a minute please." Aria said calmly, looking over a stack of papers on the kitchen table.

Our son walked over from the playroom, and put his head on Aria's shoulder.

"Yeah, Mama?" he asked sweetly.

She smiled and ruffled his hair. "How about you go on up to bed and get ready, and me or daddy will come tuck you in, okay?" she asked, tilting her head to the side. He nodded and climbed up the stairs.

Aria was skimming through the envelopes that had been left on our kitchen table from this morning. I was putting away some dishes that were left from breakfast, when she slammed the papers on the table.

"What the hell is this, Ezra?" she demanded, angry at a letter that she had opened. Confused, I walked to the table and picked up the sheet of paper.

It was an acceptance letter.

Dear Mr. Fitz.

We have reviewed your application and have unanimously decided that you are the best fit for the job. If you are still available, we would really love to have you as a permanent ghostwriter for our publishing company. Please let us know. If you are available, we would need you in our offices in New York to start working as soon as possible. Thanks.

Jonathan Morin

I read the letter and ran my hands through my hair.

"Aria, I didn't tell you because i didn't think I was going to get it. I sent in my application because, I don't know, I just wanted to see if I would get it. I didn't even know I would hear back..." I said nervously, knowing I had done wrong.

"New York, Ezra? You didn't even think about our family here! You didn't think at all! You just carelessly sent in an application for a job in New York! God, this is unbelievable. And you didn't think to mention it to me? Your wife of nearly 6 years, you didn't care to mention to her that you applied for a job in New York?! I thought you were happy here, teaching at Hollis?" she said, definitely angry.

Just as I was about to respond, Charlotte appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Mama?" she asked, nearly whispering.

Aria looked at me and then turned to her, already climbing up the stairs.

"Yeah baby?" she said, grabbing her by the hand and leading towards the room.

"Why are you yelling at daddy?" she asked, I could still hear her from down here.

I couldn't hear what Aria's response was. I knew I had screwed up, and I knew it was really terrible of me.

When Aria came back down, she didn't look at me.

"The kids are in bed. I'm tired, too. Maybe you should sleep down here." she said, not looking up from the pile of letters she was organizing.

"Aria, please. I won't take the job!" I said, whisper-yelling.

"It's not about the job, Ezra!" she said, now a tone of sadness in her voice. She turned off the lights and stormed up the stairs, not looking back. I was left alone in the dark room, barely able to find my way to the living room. I found an extra blanket and a pillow in the laundry room and installed myself on the couch.

I knew I wouldn't be sleeping much tonight.