I am so sorry this took so long. I had computer problems, not to mention final exams and a 1500 mile drive back to Texas. I was going to continue this story, but instead of dragging it on, I'm ending it here. It just feels right to me. I still have an epilogue to post. For those of you have been following this story, thanks for everything.

November 23, 2023, Aria Fitz sat in the master bedroom of 2115 Mockingbird Lane in Rosewood, Pennsylvania and put on her shoes. They were bright red leather and they matched nicely with her black and red dress. Getting up from the edge of the bed she walked over to her vanity where she kept her jewelry box. Rifling through its contents, she smiled when she saw what she was looking for. She slipped it on before putting on her wedding ring and diamond studs in her ears. She nodded in her head in satisfaction before slipping on a ruby necklace that matched her purple shoes. She surveyed herself in the mirror before touching the stone at her neck, her mind immediately going back to the very moment she got it.

It was August 29, 2017. Aria had just graduated from college the May before, and she was taking the summer and the subsequent fall to explore her options and decide what she wanted to do. That Christmas, she and Ezra were getting married, and she had all but moved into his house already.

She and Ezra had spent a lazy Saturday morning in bed. It was a rare treat since he now spent his days teaching at Hollis. Byron had gotten him a job in the English department and Ezra loved it. Secretly, Aria was relieved he wasn't going back to Rosewood High. That would have been awkward for the both of them. They both heard a knock on the door. They tried to ignore it, but it was persistent and only grew louder.

Sighing, Ezra had gotten up from the bed; throwing on the shorts and t-shirt he had had one the night before. Aria had watched him with barely concealed admiration and pouted as he left the room. She had waited for him on the bed, expecting it to be an errant mailman with a delivery or maybe Mike wondering where she was. But the voices had grown in volume until they reached Aria's ears. She could have sworn she heard the name "Jackie," and she got out of bed to investigate.

Aria went downstairs clad in one of Ezra's t-shirts, too lazy to bother putting on her own clothes just to have them taken off again. She went down the stairs, hidden by the dimness of the room and was angry at the sight she saw. Jackie had come to drop off some papers for Ezra. It was a strange occurrence, though, considering they didn't work in the same department. He accepted the packet he gave her, but she kept trying to inch her way into the house, touching him at every opportunity.

She came up behind Ezra, touching his back so that he was aware of her presence. Aria smiled brightly at the woman, an action akin to bearing her teeth. "Who's this?" asked Jackie.

Aware that Jackie couldn't see her in the shadows of the house, Aria stepped out into the sunlight slightly as Ezra answer "This is my fiancée."

"How nice of you to disturb our Saturday," began Aria brightly. "Now, if you excuse us, we have better things to do." Taking his cue from Aria, Ezra shut the door, leaving Jackie alone on his front porch.

They had gotten into an argument about it that night. It was one of their biggest, lasting for several days. Aria was upset that Ezra hadn't told her that Jackie still worked at Hollis, and Ezra was upset Aria was upset that she saw Jackie as a threat.

Several days later, Ezra gave in and apologized. He had given her the ruby necklace as a peace offering, and as a promise never to let other people come between them.

Aria gave herself one last look in the mirror before turning around and making the bed. Quickly and efficiently she put the sheets and comforter in place before reaching for the pillows on the floor. Distracted by the sound of laughter down the hall, she knocked over a book on the nightstand, and bent down to retrieve it. It was a first edition of To Kill a Mockingbird, signed by Harper Lee. It had been her wedding present.

December 26, 2017 Ezra had given the book to Aria. He apologetically shrugged as he handed it to her. "I know I'm not supposed to give you any first edition books, but now that we're married, I thought you'd allow it."

Aria looked at him in the seat next to her. Ezra could tell she was debating what to say. Her options were limited by the fact that they were sitting in an airplane thirty thousand miles in the air. What she said, he hadn't expected. "I have your wedding present too." She reached into the seat in front of her and pulled out her leopard-print carry-on bag. She reached inside and pulled out a little black book. She handed to him shyly and said softly, "I hope you like it."

They exchanged gifts amidst the on looking flight attendants and the snoring passenger behind them. Aria had to admit that the leather bound book was beautiful and in mint condition, but Ezra's intake of breath as he realized what his present was, warmed her to the very tips of her toes. "It's everything I could find." As Ezra flipped through the pages of the photo album, she explained, "There's a picture of the Springers and one of you and your mom. One of just your parents. There's you and Mike on the day you guys went to the Phillies game. There's another one of the three of us on Fourth of July seven years ago. There's one of me and the girls. I took one of Mom and Dad at Christmas last year, and this one is a copy of the one us you have above the bed at home."

Ezra stared at the last picture for a moment before turning to her. "Thank you," he whispered softly.

"This is beautiful," she responded, holding up the book in her hands. "It reminds me of that day when I first knocked on your door."

"It's supposed to," said Ezra. "To remind of us of the people we were then, and the ones we are now."

Aria rested her head on Ezra's shoulder. "I love you."

Ezra leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I love you, too." They sat that way for hours, in the quiet of the airplane, flying towards their honeymoon destination.

Aria finished putting the pillows in place, and surveyed the room carefully to make sure nothing was out of place. Satisfied, she turned towards her closet that was connected to her bathroom, her gargantuan closet that Ezra had built just for her. She rifled through her clothes, looking for the red wrap that would not only compliment her dress, but would also warm her against the cold November air. Her eyes caught a shimmer of gold, and Aria smiled as she saw the glittering material. She had worn it mere months ago.

It was February 28, 2023. It was warm for that time of year, and Aria had decided to wear a gold dress that floated to the floor for Emily's big day. It was a beautiful wedding, and Aria had nearly cried at the sight of Emily and Maya dancing together. Ezra, who had gone to the men's room for a moment, had left her at the table, and although Aria knew that Spencer and Hanna were nearby, she stayed where she was, getting up only when Mike asked for a dance.

As they swayed in the music, Aria gushed, "Isn't this a beautiful wedding?"

Mike looked up from his feet and nodded nonchalantly, "I guess so."

"I think I'm just overexcited. It's hard to believe that Emily and Maya are back together again."

"Why now after all this time?" asked Mike, creasing his forehead.

"Emily told me that they were ready for each other now, that the timing was right."

"It's hard to believe that timing has that much to do with love," answered Mike as he accidentally stepped on Aria's foot. "Sorry," he apologized.

"It's okay," Aria reassured him. She was silent for a moment before continuing, "Sometimes timing has to do with everything. Look at me and Ezra. And Caleb and Hanna. And Toby and Spencer. It's hard to believe that all of us are married."

"What are they up to these days?" Mike was asking, but Aria could tell that he was really being nice to her, realizing that she wanted to talk about her friends.

"Emily is swim coach at Rosewood High, and Maya is a psychologist with her own counseling business. Hanna has her own boutique here in Rosewood, and Caleb works from home for some tech company. Spencer passed the bar last year and is working with her father at his firm. I think they've finally reached passed all the hurt and miscommunication of all these years. Toby and Jason run the DiLaurentis architecture firm together, now. Jason designs buildings and Toby builds them." She would have continued chattering, but Mike cut in.

"And you? What will you do now? Will you be a stay-at-home mom or continue teaching at Rosewood High?"

Aria was shocked, "What do you mean? I" Mike cut her off again.

He rolled his eyes. "I know you're pregnant. You're overly emotional. And you didn't eat your dinner. And," he continued pointedly, "you aren't drinking champagne at your best friend's wedding."

"Fine," admitted Aria. "I'm three weeks pregnant. But I haven't told Ezra yet. I was waiting for a special occasion."

Mike smiled. "I'm happy for you, and I know Mom and Dad will be too."

"You think?"

"Aria, everything is going to be great." She had told Ezra that night. He was so excited for once he was speechless.

As Aria put on her wrap, she surveyed the other items of her clothing in closet, cataloguing the events they commemorated. There was the blouse she wore when Mike told her he was engaged. There was the jacket she bought the day Spencer told her she was pregnant. Hanna had made the blue neon pants for her, and the white blouse that went with it, she bought at her boutique. She wore the emerald green dress at her parents' thirtieth anniversary party. The black stiletto heels she had on the day she and Spencer had spotted Wren and Simone on the street, holding hands and kissing and realized they were a couple. Then there was the sweatshirt she was wearing when she found out Lucy had won American Idol just like she said she would and found out she had also married Ian.

Sighing, Aria surveyed her closet before turning around and heading back towards the master bedroom. Her heels clicked against the hardwood floor, and she grabbed her purse from the bathroom counter. She smiled at the sight that greeted her.

"Are you ready?" Ezra asked. He had on a matching red shirt and black pants, and was holding a bundle that was wearing a bright red velvet dress with white lace.

She kissed him on the cheek, and reached for the baby. "Now I am," she answered with a smile. She looked at her month-old daughter. "Are you ready to meet everyone?" asked Aria. "Your first Thanksgiving dinner?"

"Nervous?" asked Ezra, as they walked down the stairs.

"Nostalgic," said Aria quietly. "She right you know. Mrs. Springer. There are angels watching over us. Our whole lives."

Ezra grabbed the diaper bag that was by the front door, and kissed his wife's forehead. He carefully wrapped his sleeping daughter up in several blankets before placing her back in her mother's arms.

He nodded. "I'm glad we named her Angela. To represent that. "

"Angela Diana Fitz," recited Aria. "It has a nice ring to it." She looked at the tiny bundle in her arms. "I hope you realize, my little angel," cooed Aria, "just how special you are."

Ezra opened the door to let his Aria and Angela out, shutting the door behind him. They walked next door to where Ella had cooked a Thanksgiving feast and a multitude of friends and family had gathered to greet the newest member of their circle into the world.