24- Setting Fires

Some birthdaaaysss first ;)

Tripp, teen.

Rory, teen.

Demetria Rapture, baby 48

Leilani Rapture, baby 49.

Echo, child.

Phoebe, child.

Aria blinked blurrily at the doctor who was checking her pulse. 

The last thing she remembered was walking to her car for her OB appointment. She was pregnant, finally, with baby number 50. She was halfway there. 

"Where am I?" She muttered, rubbing her eyes and automatically moving her hands to her barely there belly. Only, something felt wrong.

Her stomach felt significantly flatter than it had been that morning. 

"What's going on?" She asked, starting to panic. The doctor looked at her sympathetically. "i'm so sorry, Ms. Rapture, but you slipped and fell on the ice outside your house the day before yesterday. You lost the baby."

Aria stared at him. Now that her vision was clearing, his face came into focus. And he looked extremely familiar. 

"I.. Don't even remember falling?" The doctor shrugged. "You hit your head pretty hard, you have a concussion. I know this seems like a lot to take in, but you were only a few weeks along. I am so, so sorry for your loss." Aria sighed, leaning her head back against the pillow. She had only been to the hospital less than six weeks ago to have another fertilization. Her luck sucked. And her head really hurt.

The doctor turned to leave, but Aria called out to him. 

"Hey, do I know you?" The guy turned around, smiling at her. "My name is Dylan. Danielle is my mom." Aria's mouth dropped open. Holy crap. "Thanks for bringing me in." She said, issuing a tiny wave. He shook his head. "I didn't bring you in. Levi did." Aria's eyebrows knitted together. That was impossible. He hadn't been around when she was heading out to her appointment. She was completely alone. Dylan smiled and left the room, leaving Aria alone with her thoughts. 

She was kind of over this whole situation, and ready to go home.

----

Aria snapped the hospital bracelet off and set it quietly on the table in the room, heading out to the reception desk. She was signing the papers for her own discharge, when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around, surprised to see her cute doctor, well, Dylan Smores.

 "H-hey." She managed. Stunned by her sudden lack of words. He chuckled. "Hey. I was actually wondering, you might think this is kind of weird, but I am off of my shift and I was thinking of going to get a tattoo. Do you want to go with me?" 

Aria's eyes widened. "That is kind of weird." She laughed. "But, I was thinking of getting one myself sometime soon. I'll go." He smiled, lighting up his eyes. "Awesome, I'll grab my car and meet you in front." Aria nodded, watching him walk away. He was so fluffing cute. Figures. 

Danielle needed to stop making such hot sons. It wasn't good for her. She sighed. She hoped that Levi wouldn't care that she was hanging out with his brother. It wasn't like she planned for anything to happen. 

She shivered in the cold air, drawing her jacket tighter around her. Riverview looked so beautiful in the snow, but it was way too cold for her liking. Dylan pulled up in a SUV, gesturing for Aria to get in. She hurriedly did, nervous. 

"Are you okay?" He asked, pulling out onto the street. Aria looked out the window, the trees flashing by. She didn't respond, Not really knowing the answer. Dylan glanced over at her, deciding maybe he should change the subject. "So you and my brother? You guys used to be together right?"

Aria sighed.

 "Yeah, we did. A long time ago." He chuckled. "I heard him talk about you before. That's why I recognized your name from your chart." Aria looked over at him, amused. 

"Creeper." 

He laughed. “I never did understand why you guys broke up.” Aria didn’t answer, unsure of what to say.  Dylan pulled into the parking lot of the shop, and stopped the car. He looked over at her, curious. "Are you ready to go in?" Aria hopped down out of the car, smiling. "Let's go."

----

"I can't believe you backed out." Aria laughed, admiring her new art work on her arm. It had hurt, and taken hours, but it wasn't too bad. 

Apparently Dylan was afraid of needles. 

"Yes, well, you may have the balls to put giant angel wings on your back, but I think I like the idea of getting a tattoo more than actually wanting to get one." Dylan shuddered, making Aria giggle. She reapplied the bandage, pulling her jacket on. 

"I'm coming back next week to get another one." She looked at Dylan. "So where next?" He seemed surprised. "You still want to hang out with me?" Aria grinned. "It's been a blast so far, why not?" She winked. 

She hopped off the counter, walking over to him. 

"So where next?" She repeated. Aria hadn't had fun in a while. Especially after what had happened recently. Dylan made me her feel warm inside. Kind of like Levi used to.. But not quite. No one made her feel the way he did. 

He held the door open for her and she exited, walking over to his car. "Do you want to go to the park? I know it's freezing, but I won't let you fall again." He smirked. Aria's clumsiness had been a running joke all night.

Aria thought a second. "Why not ice skating tomorrow instead?" Dylan raised an eyebrow, his doubt etched across his face. "You fell walking to your CAR and you want me to take you ice skating?" Aria stuck her tongue out. "I used to do it as a kid. I'm actually pretty good." He hesitated, finally sighing and climbing in. "Fine. But if you fall down and I have to take you to the hospital, don't expect me not to say 'I told you so'" 

Aria grinned, shutting the door behind her, excited. She hadn't been ice skating since she was a kid. Mila was phenomenal at it and had taught her everything she knew.

---

Tripp and Rory, YA.

Echo, teen.

Phoebe, teen

The air bit at Aria's face and she shivered. Dylan was lacing up his skates, and Aria stretched, watching him. He had been kind of quiet since he had picked her up. He had the day off, but he was on call. She stared as he made his way out onto the rink. He seemed a bit wobbly, but steady enough. When he made it a few feet, she skated over to him with ease. He looked shocked. "You aren't even a LITTLE bad at this are you?" Aria grinned. "Nope." She took his hand, and he skated easily. It didn't seem like he had to use much effort either.

They skated for a while, laughing and Aria showing off what she could do. Dylan didn't talk much, his mind somewhere else. Finally, she asked him what had been in her thoughts all night.

"So, tell me Dylan, why are you so quiet?" He sighed. "I'm not normally." Aria smiled. "Well, you are tonight. You were quite the talker yesterday." He ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I know."

 He seemed about to say something else when his cell phone went off. He looked at the screen, concern on  his face. He put the phone back in his pocket and looked at Aria with disappointment. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. There was a huge wreck in Bridgeport and some of the people were transferred to our hospital." Aria nodded, understanding. 

She skated with him to the side of the rink and watched him pull his skates off, and put his regular shoes on. He stood and waved and headed to his car, but before he got there, he turned around to look at her. "Can I see you again?" Aria smiled, but hesitated. She didn't know if that was such a good idea. She already felt like she was pushing her luck hanging out with him twice. What could it hurt though?

 "Of course, Dylan. Call me anytime."

-------

Over the next few weeks Aria was almost always with Dylan. She found herself seeking comfort in him. Although, inside, she was aching with loneliness, when he was around it was lessened significantly. He was so full of light and he was always laughing. Aria felt.. alive. She even had put her baby challenge on hold, healing from the pain of losing what would have been her 50th baby. 

"I don't understand why you feel the need to drink at 2 in the afternoon. You're such a lush." Dylan said, putting his feet up on the coffee table. "Because I can. It's not hurting anyone. None of the kids are home."

 Aria continued to drink, winking at Dylan. He smirked, turning on the TV. "Whatever. Your liver hates you. Just so you know." Aria giggled, spilling a little of the drink on her dress. "Ugh, figures." She muttered, standing up.

"Hey, I am going upstairs to change. I'll be right back." Dylan glanced over his shoulder at her, nodding. Aria took the stairs two at a time, slightly dizzy. Dylan had a point. She more than likely SHOULDNT be drinking in the middle of the day. Oh well, it's not like it mattered. She pulled her dress over her head, giggling. 

She turned to go into her closet and almost had a heart attack. Dylan was standing in the doorway of her bedroom, looking at her with an odd expression on his face.

"Hey, dude. I am almost naked here." She laughed, holding her dress up to shield herself. Dylan shook his head. "God, I'm so sorry. I'm such a freak." He put his hands over his eyes and stepped out the door. 

Aria walked across the room and peeked her head out the door. "Hey," She poked his shoulder. He looked at her, guilty. "You're not a freak. Come here." She took his hand and pulled him to her, kissing him. 

"What are you doing Aria?" He mumbled, her lips on his neck. She looked up at him. "You don't want to?" He kissed her again, turning them into the bedroom. "Of course I do, but-" She silenced him with a kiss, pulling him closer.

 "But nothing. I like you, you like me. There is no problem here." Dylan kissed her, his mind completely full of thoughts he felt he shouldn't have. He kicked the door shut, pushing them towards the bed. And as they fell on it, He sincerely hoped his brother didn't kill him. 

-------

Aria sighed, laying in her bed. She seriously was the queen of making people hate her. She had spent the entire night with Dylan. She felt like crap. An internal war raging. She couldn't believe she had done it. She felt like this was the worst thing she could have executed. She felt like a slut. And she fucking missed Levi so much. She looked at her phone, scrolling down to his number and almost pushing send. But then she tossed it on the floor. 

What was she thinking? He would hate her for the rest of her life.

She rolled onto her stomach, staring towards the bathroom where Dylan was showering.

 She quickly got dressed and slipped in the door. The steam filled the bathroom and she cleared her throat. She saw him jump. And then he stuck his head out the door. "Hey yo. You scared me." Aria smiled weakly. "Sorry, hon. Hey, I, uh, really don't know what you think this means-" Dylan went back to showering with a chuckle. "Calm down, Aria. We're just friends. I know where your heart lies." 

-----------

Aria found out she was having Dylan's baby 6 short weeks later. 

She felt defeated. There was no hiding a baby. The truth would come out and when it did, she would lose what little of Levi she may have had left. 'What are you even thinking Aria? He is with Reign now. He doesn't want to be with you.' She tossed the pregnancy test in the trash with a finality. 'I guess my baby challenge continues now.'

----------

Baby Number 50 made its appearance. Aria's halfway baby was here. And it was the love of her life's brother's baby. Talk about Drama.

Kennedie Rapture. Baby Number Fifty.

-------------

Aria took her baby home, and went out to grab a few things from the store. 

While she was in town she ran into Levi. Literally.

 He helped her up, pushing her hair out of her eyes. 

"I'm sorry. I used to be better at watching where I was going." 

Levi chuckled. 

"It's fine Aria. I'm used to it. You've always been clumsy. You can find 7 things to trip on walking across the room." Aria's cheeks went pink. "Gee, thanks L." 

He hugged her, stepping away and pausing awkwardly.

Levi smiled, his eyes full of the light that Aria missed so much. He shifted his weight, looking nervous for a second. 

"Look, Aria, there's something I wanted to talk to you about." 

Aria nodded, curious. 

"Well, the other night, when you were at my apartment, I actually came to your house the morning you slipped because of this, I was thinking-" 

"Aria! Hey!"

 Levi turned around, and Aria glanced at who had called her name.

 Dylan Smores was making his way over to them. 

Perfect timing, Dyl. Jesus.

"Hey, Levi." He brushed him aside, positioning himself on the other side of Aria.

 "How's the baby?" 

Levi looked at Aria curiously. Aria wasn't sure if he knew or not, that she and Dylan had had a baby. She sighed. 

"The baby is great. She is perfectly healthy." 

Dylan smiled. 

"Did she get my hair? I still haven't been able to make it over there, I know I should have, but the hospital has been so busy." 

Levi stared at his brother. 

"You donated for Aria to have a baby?" 

He asked, no emotion in his voice. Dylan looked at him. 

"Uh-" 

He fumbled for words, giving Levi the exact confirmation he needed.

Levi's face darkened. 

"No way. You... and my brother?" 

Aria looked away, crossing her arms over her chest. Dylan sighed.

 "Levi, it's not like that. We're not together. It only happened once. We're just friends."

 Levi glared at Aria, the betrayal he felt plainly etched all over his expression. 

"I expected more from you, Dylan. You knew how I felt about her!"

 His words cut the air like a knife. Aria stood, speechless, between the two guys in front of her. Her heart was heavy with the guilt she carried. She destroyed families now. What was she becoming?

"Levi, I know. I'm sorry. I made a mistake." 

Dylan tried to get closer to Levi, but he shoved him backwards.

 "Don't fucking touch me. You're supposed to be my family. And you crossed a line that should never be crossed." 

Dylan snorted. 

"You have a girlfriend. Or did you forget about Reign?" 

Levi's eyes darted towards Aria. 

"I.. She.." 

Dylan laughed. 

"See, you don't even love her do you? You're so stuck on someone who doesn't WANT you that you can't love her."

"Don't you DARE go there. You don't know how I feel about either one of them." 

Levi's voice rose angrily, his eyes furious. Aria just stood there. She felt like a buoy in the middle of the ocean. Completely useless. 

"You know, Aria. This is all you're good for, isn't it? Causing trouble? Breaking people's hearts. I'm so sick of trying to figure you out when it has been obvious all along that you're nothing but a whore." 

Levi took something out of his pocket and tossed it at her feet. 

"You can have this. We were never anything but a lie."

 With that, he turned and walked away, getting into his car and speeding off. 

Aria just stared at the object on  the ground, ignoring Dylan's attempts to talk to her. She picked up the small box, her hands shaking. It had popped open on its fall. She looked at what was inside and felt her heart break. 



Nestled inside was a diamond ring the exact color of her eyes.

--------------

I can't believe I am halfway there. I am absolutely thrilled and kind of shocked at the same time. All of you have been so supportive and amazing. I have the best fans in the world, hands down. I love each and every one of you and I am extremely thankful you all have stuck around.

It's definitely bittersweet.

It only gets better from here. <3 

I LOVE YOU GUYS. --- Stacy <3

23- Maybe You Should Have

Mature Content Ahead.

Also, A warning to those of you who may have sexual abuse in your past.

With that said, we begin with some birthdays <3

Tripp, child.

Rory, child.

Phoebe Rapture.

Echo Rapture.

"I feel like I should tell you something." 

Aria whispered into the phone, head in her hands. His voice paused on the other end. "What is it Aria?" Aria's eyes burned as they filled with tears. "I'm so sorry." No sound came from the receiver. "I should have believed you." 

Levi sighed. "Aria, what are you talking about?" 

Aria started crying, the story spilling out before she could stop it.

TWELVE HOURS EARLIER

Aria giggled, setting Phoebe on the floor. Logan's twins were completely adorable even if they were a handful. They seemed to have a lot of their father's personality. Already they had Aria laughing constantly. 

Aria sighed, glancing at the clock. 'I guess I should get ready.' She thought. She headed upstairs, nervous. Something about Corbin made her jittery and she wasn't sure she even wanted to go to his house. She threw on a dress and called her babysitter...

-

She pulled up to Corbin's house an hour later. She felt nauseous, her senses telling her it was a bad idea. She thought she saw a figure standing in the door, but when she took a second look, it was gone. As she ascended the stairs, the door opened as if it sensed her presence. 'That's ridiculous Aria,' she thought to herself with a chuckle. 'It's a fluffing door.'

Corbin stood in the door frame, surveying her. 

"I wasn't entirely sure you would show up." He said, holding the door open as Aria walked past. She hesitated just beyond the threshold. "I wasn't sure if I wanted to." She turned around to face him, arms crossed over her chest. "Quite frankly I am confused as to why I'm here. I find it hard to believe that you want to be a challenge father." 

Corbin smirked, making his way into the living room.

 "Maybe I do," He replied, taking a seat and gesturing for Aria to do the same. "Just on my own terms.” Aria sat abruptly, brow crinkling. “What is that supposed to mean?” She snapped, confused by the sudden need to sit. He smiled, “Nothing. It’s not like you would get it if I explained.” His smile widened at her offended expression, showing his teeth.

 Aria had almost forgotten he was a vampire. Almost.

She glanced around the room at the various objects and furniture. It all seemed perfectly normal. Something was wrong though. She couldn’t shake the feeling that it was. After a few minutes of silence, she looked back at Corbin. He was just staring at her, his eyes showing a hint of amusement. 

“Are you uncomfortable?” He wondered quietly.

Aria bit her lip. “No,” She replied, looking away. 

“You know that I can tell that you’re lying right?” He muttered, moving closer to Aria. 

She was speechless. And for some reason she seemed to be stuck in place. Like she couldn’t pull away if she wanted to. 

“I can also tell that you’re afraid of me.” Corbin put a hand on Aria’s leg, sending chills up her spine. “I would like to tell you that you shouldn’t be.” His words were now a whisper at her ear. “But that's far from the truth.”

Aria regained her voice, pushing Corbin's face away from hers.

 “Stop it,” She began, but he pressed closer, this time his lips at her collar bone. Her senses prickled. “I don’t really think you want me to.” He hovered in front of her lips, his breath intoxicating. “I think that I could do whatever I wanted to you and you would love it..”

Aria shoved him away from her and took off for the door. “You don’t know anything about me, Corbin. Leave me the hell alone.”

Aria was about to put her hand on the doorknob, when she froze in place. She turned around and faced Corbin, her cheeks red. He walked over to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. 

"You're not going anywhere." He smiled a little, leaning down and tracing his lips over hers. A small voice in Aria's head seemed to try and scream, but something pushed it away and she kissed him back. 

Corbin pulled her against him, picking her up and carrying her up the stairs. When they got to his bedroom, Aria shook her head, looking around. "What are you doing? I told you I was going home." Corbin laughed, sitting her on the bed. He touched her face lightly, his skin ice cold. He leaned over her, lips on hers.

"Corbin, I don't want to do this. It doesn't feel right." Aria squirmed underneath his weight, uneasy. She didn't want to be with him. Not like this. Every time she resisted, a cloudy feeling came over her mind and she became subdued. She didn't quite understand what was going on, but this didn't feel anywhere near to okay. She did NOT want to sleep with this guy who had been making her feel like crap all night.

She tried, once again, to resist, but her hands were nothing compared to his strength. "Shhh," Corbin whispered in her ear, a smile on his lips. That same calmness coursed through her veins and she relaxed. "Okay.." She murmured, kissing him back.

 He was obviously incredibly beautiful. Aria wasn't even sure why she had resisted. Something told her what was going on wasn't right but she couln't quite figured out why.

Her skin broke out in goosebumps. And for some reason as Corbin pulled her closer and closer, all she could think of was Levi. 

--- 

Aria looked in the mirror, her hands shaking. She didn't even remember making it home. Something inside her chest ached with a ferocity. She couldn't believe last night had even happened. It seemed like a dream in a way. Her hair and clothes were still a mess, but she couldn't seem to move from the spot she had fallen into. Just sitting there in front of her mirror.

She traced the outline of the vein in her neck. It was still intact. Corbin obviously hadn't bitten her. Although what he HAD done was bad enough.. Aria shuddered, trying to push the thought out of her mind. She had consented.. hadn't she? She said no, but then she said yes. Technically. 

A sickness permeated her stomach, and she closed her eyes as they began to sting. If it was rape, she obviously deserved it. She knew she shouldn't go over there and she still did it. She went against her better judgment and ignored every single warning that her mind had sent her way. That put her straight into the column of idiot. Didn't it...? 

A single thought surfaced in Aria's mind. Is this what Levi had gone through? Is this what really happened? She had spent days, weeks, months convincing herself that he had made the whole thing up. That things like mind control couldn't possibly exist. Now she felt like Karma had basically sucker punched her in the face.

Aria took out her phone, dialing a familiar number she hadn’t dialed in ages. It rang twice before he answered.

"I feel like I should tell you something." Aria whispered into the phone, head in her hands. His voice paused on the other end. "What is it Aria?" Aria's eyes burned as they filled with tears. "I'm so sorry." No sound came from the receiver. "I should have believed you." Levi sighed. "Aria what are you talking about?" Aria started crying, the story spilling out before she could stop it.

“Aria, my God. I’ll be home tomorrow night. Can you meet me at my apartment?” 

-------------

“I don’t even know how to go about doing something about it, Levi. What am i supposed to do? ‘Hey, officer, this guy raped me. but I technically said yes because he used vampiric mind control on me?’ No one is going to believe me.” Levi winced at Aria’s callous mention of the word. “No one believed me either. Even you. No one besides my mother.” Aria nodded. “I know. I’m so sorry.. I don’t know what I can do to fix it. I wish I had believed you..” Levi put an arm around her waist, kissing her cheek. “Aria, I don’t blame you.”

Aria buried her face in his chest, too numb to cry anymore. 

“What am i supposed to do Levi?”  His arms tightened around her. “I don’t know. I really wish i did, but I don’t.” Aria took a deep breath, releasing her hold on Levi. “ I guess I should just try to move on? i don’t think Corbin is going to try anything else, i mean what’s left to do?” She laughed bitterly.

 Levi’s face held an emotion Aria knew well. She knew he loved her. Probably more than he would ever love anyone. And something inside Aria told her the same was probably true for herself.

What happened next was probably not the smartest choice, but Aria wasn’t anywhere close to caring. She climbed on Levi’s lap, crushing her lips onto his. He ran his hands through her hair, returning her kiss. She pulled away, her eyes locked on his, they widened when she realized what she had done. Levi had a girlfriend. He had for months. Coincidentally, they heard the door to his apartment open and Reign’s voice called out his name.

Aria quickly got off of him and rushed to the window. She looked back at him as she climbed onto the ground outside in the alley. “I’m so sorry.” She mouthed, shutting the window behind her. 

He still looked stunned as Reign opened the door and wrapped him in her arms. Aria leaned against the wall outside, dizzy. ‘What the HELL was I thinking?’ She sighed, looking right and left down the alley where she was now standing. ‘Awesome. Just where I wanted to be.’

She walked towards the street, it was ten feet away, she’d be fine. 

She was almost there when she was thrown into the wall with enough force to take her breath away.

 “ Did you really think I wouldn’t keep tabs on you? What the fuck were you thinking?” Corbin’s voice sent chills straight to her core. She tried to walk past him, but he grabbed her wrist and shoved her back against the bricks. 

She became calm and complacent, Not quite sure why she was struggling in the first place. A pressure eased into her chest, which she was only half sure was Corbin’s body weight. There was a flash of light and the sound of footsteps.

“Step away from the girl, now.” 

A voice Aria recognized broke through the trance she was under and she coughed, the pressure around her chest releasing. Corbin smirked, leaving his hand where it had been, on the wall. “If you don’t do it by the count of three, I WILL shoot you.” Aria’s head snapped towards the voice. That was Carter.

Corbin didn’t move.

“One.” Carter said, raising his gun. 

Corbins smile spread across his face, and he leaned closer to Aria. 

“Two.” Carter took another step closer, his eyes meeting Aria’s, finally realizing it was her. His eyes widened. “Let go of her right now or I’m putting a bullet through your skull."

 Corbin sighed, removing his hand from beside Aria’s head and releasing her wrist.

 He put both hands in the air and laughed condescendingly. “Sorry officer, please don’t shoot.” His tone taunted Carter, making his blood boil. 

He put his gun away and stepped between Aria and Corbin. “If I EVER see you near her again, I will put one right between your eyes, vampire or not. You got me?” Corbin backed away, hands still up, still smirking. “Yes sir, Mr. Officer.” He turned and walked away, but as he was leaving, his voice echoed through Aria’s mind. “If you tell him what happened, I’ll kill you. And then I will kill him.” 

"Things like this happen when you keep putting yourself in these situations, Aria. Haven't you learned that by now?" Aria's heart sank at his words, but she kept her mouth shut. There was no way she was going to tell him what happened. He would probably tell her she deserved that too. 

Carter turned and faced her. “You are going to die if you keep this stupid challenge up. Guys like him don’t care if you say no. AND they aren’t interested in being part of a challenge. They WILL hurt you.” 

Aria crossed her arms over her chest, and looked at the ground. “I know.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

 Carter sighed, pulling Aria into a hug. He looked down the alleyway towards where Corbin disappeared. “Did he hurt you?” He asked, his voice uneasy. Aria shook her head. Carter, exhaled in relief. “I swear to God if he ever touches you I will put him in the ground. If his kind even fucking dies...” He paused, stepping away from Aria and looking her in the eyes. “ I would find a way, Aria.” 

She remained silent, not meeting his gaze. They just stood there, awkward and quiet for a few minutes. “Do you want a ride home?” Aria nodded. “Please.” 

Carter pulled up to her house, parking and coming around to open her door. It was already light outside. 

"Thank you Carter." Aria stood, biting her lip, not knowing what exactly to say. Carter sighed. "Aria, you don't have to thank me. This is my job. I just want you to be safe. I don't think you completely understand what would happen to me if you were gone." Aria looked at him, stunned by his words. 

It was almost as if... No. 

Carter put his hand out and Aria took it. He pulled her into his arms once again, and for a moment it was like they were kids again. The best friends they always were. Aria breathed in his scent, her heart heavy. She had never felt more alone in her entire life then she had lately. And she just wished more than anything she had someone to take all of this pain away.

 She stepped away from Carter, turned and walked towards her house.

"Hey Aria?" She faced him, smiling slightly. "Yeah?" He gestured to the cell phone in his hand. "If you need me, I'm a phone call away. Anytime." She nodded and he got in his cruiser, pulling away from the curb and heading home. 

She looked back at the big empty house looming in front of her. She hadn't told Carter anything, and she hoped that Corbin stayed away from her. 

She would never tell him. Ever.

-----

Before she knew it, Aria was  puking every morning. A sickness in her stomach told her she was pregnant. She couldn’t believe her luck. She scheduled an appointment with her doctor, confirming it. She sat, completely dumbfounded that she could possibly be carrying his children. What the fuck was she supposed to do? She would now be forever tied to this monster.

It was the hardest pregnancy of her life.

 Not because it was physically taxing, but because with every day that passed she loathed the baby growing inside of her more and more. She just couldn’t bring herself to love it. Corbin didnt even know it existed. Yet. And she was terrified he would find out. Carter once again, wouldn’t answer her calls. After an angry argument about her current pregnancy he didn't even look at her when they ran into each other in town. In his mind he thought she had slept with Corbin willingly. It really wasn't his fault since Aria hadn't told him the truth. But it still hurt. 

She exited the hospital, carrying her babies in their car seat. She hoped the feeling would go away, but it never really did. She brought the babies into the world, dreading every push and each cry. When she finally held them and saw the light in their eyes, she broke down, underestimating her capability of love once again. They were just as perfect as the rest. Putting her baby count to 49.

Logan and Aria's twins were soon children. Sweet ones at that. They seemed to be the only light in Aria's world currently. They were amazing with the littlest ones too. They loved  them unconditionally. Tripp and Rory taught them everything they knew. It was honestly like her children were a family and she was on the outside looking in...

Aria could feel who she was slowly slipping away. As much as she tried to keep her head above water she couldn't quite hold on. She decided to have another baby, from a donor. Maybe a new pregnancy would bring some brightness back into the dark, dark hole she hid in.