Chasing Fate

Chapter 14

Aria's POV

I woke up at the crack of dawn. I had barely been able to sleep last night, I was so upset with Ezra. I knew I had to be up in the morning to take the kids to school anyway, so I decided I was just going to get up.

I had gotten washed and dressed and tidied my room by the time 7 am rolled around. I then woke up the kids and made them breakfast. When we made our way down the stairs, Ezra wasn't on the couch.

Wow. He doesn't even have the nerve to face me in the morning. I thought to myself.

I fed the kids and got them dressed, and then I brought them to school. When I returned home, I found an anxious Ezra sitting at the kitchen table, a small box sitting next to him.

I walked in and put my keys down, not greeting him like I normally did. When he heard me come in, he immediately rushed towards me and grabbed my hands.

"Aria, listen to me. I know what I did was really shitty. And I get why you're mad, 100%. But you need to know that I would never leave this family. I love you, and Char, and Liam, so, incredibly much. I live for my family. I would never take off, never. I know I should've told you, and I am so sorry I didn't. But i didn't even send the application myself. I was sucking up to the dean when he told me about the job, and all I said was that it seemed interesting. And the next day, he had handed in my application. I didn't even plan on taking it, I just wanted to suck up to the dean. I swear, Aria, I never meant to hurt your or the kids." he said, sincerity clear in his voice.

"God, Ezra... I just, I am so mesmerized by your ability to persuade me every single time." I say, laughing and shaking my head. A huge smile crossed his face as he hugged me tightly.

He didn't say anything and just grabbed my hands and led me to the kitchen, where I saw what the box was.

It was a key lime pie from Paula's, our favorite dessert place.

"You went all the way to Paula's?" I asked. He nodded and smiled, as he pulled me in for a searing kiss.

ººº

Ezra's POV

"Char, Liam, come down here for a sec!" I called from the bottom of the stairs.

They both stomped down the stairs laughing.

"What's so funny?" I asked, amused by my children.

"Liam farted!" Charlotte said, a silly grimace on her face. All three of us chuckled as we sat down on the couch together.

"So, you know how mommy has had a baby in her tummy for the past 9 months?" I asked, and they both nodded. "Well that baby is here now, and we're taking her home today. So you guys are going to have to be extra nice to mom, okay? She hasn't been feeling well, and she's really tired. Sound good?" I asked, determined to make Aria's stay at home as comfortable as possible. She had an extremely rough labor, and ended up having to have a C-Section 22 hours in.

I left the kids at home with Spencer and Toby, who brought their kids as well. I was going to pick up Aria and our daughter at the hospital today, and I couldn't be more excited.

When I arrived, I walked in to see Aria in a wheel chair just by the entrance, a small baby in her arms.
I walked over to her and kissed the both of them, a huge smile on my face.

"Hi, love..." I say, staring at our beautiful daughter.

A nurse soon approached us with a clipboard.

"Hi Mr. and Ms. Fitz, it seems that the paperwork is completed. We just need you to sign here and you can be on your way!" she said sweetly, and took back the clipboard after I signed my name at the bottom of the page.

"Okay, looks like you're all set! You take care now! Bye Penelope!" she cooed the last part, looking down at our sweet little girl.

When we arrived home, an eager Spencer was already waiting outside the house. We slowly made our way up the stairs, as Aria was still recovering from her surgery, and hugged her.

"Oh, god, she's stunning!" Spencer said quietly, careful not to wake her.

We both smiled as we made our way inside.

"Where are the kids?" i asked, adjusting something on the changing table.

"Oh, Toby took them for ice cream. I thought it would be easier for Aria to adjust, before they got here, you know?" she said sweetly. We both smiled at her again and we passed Penelope to her.

"Awe, she's precious. Have you guys chosen a name yet?" she asked, holding the small baby in her arms.

Aria and I both nodded.

"Yeah, it's Penelope. Penelope Grace." Aria said, smiling.

"It's beautiful! I have loved the name ever since I read it in Ulysses." she said, without looking up from her.

"That's why we chose it, actually. Ulysses is something really special to us, since when I met Aria I was reading it. And we thought it was really pretty, and it had a cute significance to us." I said, staring at the grey and turquoise nursery.

"That's so cute!" Spencer exclaimed.

I looked around and sighed happily, and gently wrapped my arm around Aria's waist. We both smiled as I lightly kissed her nose as Spencer cooed at Penelope in the background.