I have been contemplating writing a story like this for a while. I've finally decided to write the first chapter and see what you guys think. The story is set in New York, Haleb are married and expecting their first child.
It was a cold November morning in New York City. The sound of Caleb's alarm awoke Hanna from her deep slumber. Caleb reached out, blindly fumbling for his phone. After successfully switching his alarm off he rolled over to face the blonde beauty, "Morning."
"Good morning." Hanna replied, her eyes half closed.
Caleb reached under the covers and skimmed his hand under her t-shirt, "Have you been keeping mommy awake?" He whispered, running his hand over Hanna's growing abdomen.
"She has." Hanna laughed, resting her hand on top of his.
"Did you sleep okay?" He worried. Once she had gotten over the period of morning sickness earlier on in her pregnancy, she had been able to sleep a little better, but during the past couple of months Hanna had found it hard to get comfortable due to her growing bump.
"Yeah I got about six hours." She informed as he moved from under the covers and entered the bathroom, beginning to get ready for the day.
Caleb entered the bedroom in nothing but his boxers, "I'm just gonna grab a quick shower."
"Okay." Hanna smiled, picking up her phone from her bedside.
Hanna sat up in bed and ran her hand over her face, rubbing her eyes, in an attempt to keep herself awake.
Ten minutes later and Caleb was fresh out the shower, he emerged in the bedroom with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.
Hanna propped herself against the headboard, "My mom's invited us over for dinner tonight."
"What time do we need to be there by?" Caleb questioned, rummaging through his drawers, trying to find a pair of clean boxers and socks that were suitable.
"She said around seven." Hanna replied.
He grabbed a pair of boxers that he deemed were comfy and slipped them on before pulling on a pair of charcoal grey trousers and a white shirt. "Babe what tie shall I wear?"
"Turn around." She instructed, so that she could get a better view of his outfit. He turned to face her, buttoning up his shirt "Definitely a dark blue one."
"This one." He raised his eyebrows, holding up the tie that Hanna bought him for his birthday a few weeks ago.
It was one of the many expensive presents that she had gifted him that year. It had been a tough few months and she hadn't exactly been able to do everything that she would have liked in the past few months.
A couple of weeks before his birthday Caleb wanted to go to California for the weekend to visit his family, but Hanna wasn't feeling very well and didn't fancy the flight. The activities that Claudia usually had planned when they visited weren't exactly ideal for a pregnant woman.
The last time they visited the Dawson family Hanna had been persuaded to take part in the family's annual ski trip, which didn't go down well and resulted in a sprained ankle.
Caleb understood and arranged for his mother to visit once the baby was born.
"I'll be back by six so I can get changed and then drive us over there." He informed.
Usually he was home at around five but he was working on a big project so it meant that he had to stay late most days. Something which he hated doing but Hanna had assured him that she was okay with it.
It also meant that they had more money to put towards the baby's nursery. Hanna had insisted that they put beside a little bit of money each week so that in a couple of months they would have saved up the money to splurge on their little girl's nursery. Hanna had began planning it since her twenty-week scan, when she found out that baby rivers was in fact a girl. She couldn't wait to start decorating the spare bedroom in shades of pink and gold.
Caleb sat on the end of the bed and put on his socks and shoes, opting to wear a pair of plain black socks and his tan leather brogues. He threw on his jacket and grabbed his watch from the dresser "I'm off."
"See you later handsome." Hanna replied. Caleb made his way over to the bed where Hanna was planning to spend the rest of the morning, and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips.
"Be good for mommy." He whispered, leaning down to press a kiss to Hanna's bump.
Hanna tried to get a few hours' rest but gave up after an hour, the baby was moving a lot and keeping her awake. She went to the bathroom and completed her usual morning routine, before heading to the kitchen to make her breakfast. She wasn't usually one to eat breakfast but she knew that it was important to make sure that the baby was getting the correct nutrients and that she had some much needed energy.
Hanna spent the afternoon completing some sketches that she had started a few days previously. Although she was now on maternity leave Hanna still worked from home, it kept her occupied during the day while Caleb was at work.
It was just after six and Caleb was due home any minute. Hanna was curled up on the couch with a blanket and an episode of friends on the Tv. She had found that during the past week or so her energy levels had dropped. She knew that pregnancy would be hard but she never imagined the challenges that she had faced so far.
Hanna instantly moved from the couch when she heard the door unlock, "Hey baby."
"Hey." Caleb replied, placing his bag on the floor and slipping of his shoes, "Come here."
Hanna rushed over to him, flinging her arms around him as he pecked her lips.
"We'd better get changed, your mom's expecting us in less than an hour." He informed.
"Yeah I suppose; it's just this is so comfy." She sighed.
Caleb moved through to the bedroom, "I know, but imagine what your mom would have to say if you turned up like that."
Ashley had always taught her daughter to take pride in her appearance.
Hanna didn't take offence, she knew that he found her sexy when she had her hair in a messy bun and wandered round the house in an oversized t-shirt and leggings. Occasionally she didn't bother putting on any bottoms, at nearly nine months pregnant she found everything to be pretty constricting, and liked the fact that when she was at home she could wear whatever she wanted.
When Hanna found out that she was pregnant her first worry was that she would look fat. Her body confidence issues lasted well into her adulthood, though she was fighting hard to become confident and happy with who she was. Caleb spent many nights consoling her and assuring her that she wasn't fat that she was pregnant and it was normal. Five months into her pregnancy was when she began to embrace her bump. Dressing up in designer clothes rather than lying around the house in an oversized t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants.
She had chosen to wear a cream loose fitting blouse and a pair of her maternity jeans. She was a little annoyed when she was no longer able to fit in her usual clothes but nothing that a little shopping spree didn't sort out. Caleb had given her his card and told her to buy whatever she wanted. He wasn't really shocked when he checked his balance later that week to find out that Hanna had spent close to $500 on new clothes. But he knew that it made her confident and happy and that was more important to him than money, plus it wasn't like he couldn't afford it. His job paid well and Hanna was still earning money from her fashion line so they were financially stable and able to splurge a little.
Caleb removed his jacket, hanging it up in his wardrobe. He removed his shirt and trousers and threw them in the dirty clothes hamper. He changed in to a dark green t-shirt and a pair of black jeans.
"You look hot." He smirked, stealing a kiss before she disappeared to grab her handbag and put her shoes on.
"Can you do these up for me? I've tried but I can reach." Hanna sighed, ever since she had hit the six-month mark daily tasks were becoming nearly impossible.
"Sure." Caleb replied, walking over to the door, where Hanna stood and knelt down to zip up her boots.
They had managed to arrive on time, despite the traffic. Ashley lived in a three-bedroom house, about twenty minutes' drive from Hanna and Caleb's apartment. She moved there a year ago after deciding to invest her savings in property. Hanna was ecstatic to have her mom living across town, instead of in a different state.
"Come in." Ashley smiled, opening the door.
Hanna hugged her mom before making her way in to the kitchen to grab a drink.
"It's good to see you two." Ashely smiled, leading Caleb into the kitchen. "I've set up the table in the dining room."
"You've made lasagna right?" Hanna questioned.
"Beef lasagna and a mixed salad, I know that you're trying to eat healthily." Ashley informed. "Take a seat, I'll bring it in." She added.
"Yeah in-between my cravings for pizza and chocolate." Hanna sighed, taking a seat at the table.
Ashley placed the tray of lasagna on the table. Caleb brought through the salad and the ranch dressing, something which Hanna had been craving recently.
"Dig in." Ashley laughed, noticing Hanna practically drooling.
"How many weeks do you have left?" She inquired, eager to know how much longer she had to wait until she could meet her Granddaughter.
"I'm due in just over five weeks but she could make an appearance in a couple of weeks or so." Hanna replied. She didn't want her daughter to be born early, as in her mind it would mean that she wasn't fully developed. But her doctor had assured her that anywhere between 37 weeks and 42 weeks was completely normal and her daughter would be perfectly fit and healthy.
"Don't kill me but I may have already bought her a few things for her room here." Ashley admitted.
Hanna was a little confused, "Her room?"
"Yeah I thought I told you." Ashley replied.
"Pregnancy brain." Hanna shrugged.
Caleb had been hiding the surprise for a few weeks. He was more than happy to help his mother in law put together the nursery, building the furniture and hanging artwork and pictures.
"Yeah, when I bought this place I made sure that there were enough rooms so that I could have a guest bedroom and a spare room for my future grandchildren." Ashley beamed.
"What have you bought?" Hanna questioned, shovelling in a forkful of lasagna.
"Well I've bought a crib and a changing table and some other bits." Ashely replied, adding some dressing to her salad.
Hanna couldn't help but smile at her mother's enthusiasm. She could still remember the moment that she told her mom that she was going to be a grandma. Ashley was in shock; as the announcement came when she was least expecting it, she had been dropping subtle hints that she would like a grandchild for around a year before Hanna gave her the news that she was pregnant.
"I can show you guys after dinner."
"Sounds good." Caleb replied. He had worked hard over the past few weeks to get the room ready. He knew how important it was to Ashley and wanted to make sure that the nursery was near enough complete before showing it to Hanna, who could be extremely critical and picky at times.
"Babe, did you know about this?" Hanna questioned a rather quiet Caleb.
"Maybe." He smirked.
"And you kept it a secret for how long?"
"Around a month. You know all those extra hours I've been working…" He replied.
Hanna nodded her head, pursing her lips.
"Well I've been helping your mom out with a few things, like the nursery and stuff." He admitted.
There was a moment of silence, "I'm not mad, I find it cute that you help my mom out." Hanna smiled.
"Don't worry, I checked with Caleb to make sure that the colour scheme isn't the same as yours," Ashley assured. "What do you think?"
"I love it." Hanna replied, running her hand along the crib. Which was complete with purple and white rose printed bedding and a plush rabbit.
Ashley had had chosen a theme of pale grey and shades of purple. The walls had been painted a milky grey. The crib, changing table and dresser where a simple white colour. There where accents of purple throughout. A mobile hung above the crib and there were many picture frames scattered around the room, waiting to be filled with pictures of her precious granddaughter.
There was a rocking chair placed in the corner of the spacious room. There was a small table located next to the rocker, where Ashley had placed a couple of parenting magazines and a small lamp.
Hanna was in awe "This is honestly amazing."
"Well Caleb helped." Ashley smiled over at her son-in-law.
"This is making me want to get our nursery done, and we have serious competition." Hanna laughed. She was honestly impressed; it was clear that so much effort had gone in to creating the nursery.
"I just thought that with you guys being so close and it being my first grandchild, I want to be able to spend as much time with her as possible."
"I'm sure she'll spend many nights here with Nana." Caleb chuckled.
Ashley looked over at him, "Nana huh?"
"Yeah that's what we've decided that's what she will call you, if that's okay?" Hanna replied.
"I like it." Ashley admitted.
They spent another hour or so at Ashley's, talking about the baby and their plans for the week. Caleb had arranged for Hanna and her mom to have a spa day on the following Saturday, something for Hanna to look forward to.
As the last few weeks of her pregnancy were approaching Hanna was becoming more anxious and stressed. Knowing that stress wasn't good for the baby or for Hanna, Caleb decided to treat the most important women in his life to something special, it was the least he could do.
Ashley had given him an overwhelming amount of support and guidance through Hanna's pregnancy. Caleb spoke to his mom and visited her and his brothers every once in a while but Ashley had been there for him since he was sixteen and that meant a lot to him.
Ashley was the one who helped him to stay calm throughout Hanna's pregnancy, talking things through with him to put his mind at ease. Caleb was ecstatic to become a father but he was nervous, he didn't have a father figure growing up so he worried that he wouldn't be good enough for his daughter. After Hanna had a miscarriage scare Ashley was there to help, emotionally and physically. She made sure that both Hanna and Caleb were eating properly, often bringing round home cooked meals, which were much better for them than takeout meals. She helped them find a good doctor who would oversee Hanna throughout her pregnancy and made sure that Hanna had a birth plan in place. It was that kind of help and support that both Hanna and Caleb valued.
Once they returned home Hanna was quick to have a shower and get changed in to the comfiest clothes possible. Caleb made Hanna a hot chocolate and brought it to their bedroom, where Hanna was sitting on their bed rubbing her bump, talking to their baby girl.
"Hey babe, I made you this." He announced, placing the mug on the bedside table.
Hanna looked up from the magazine that she was reading, "Thanks."
He joined Hanna on the bed, "Anything interesting?"
"Just some info about newborn's." Hanna replied, turning the page, her hand still resting on her bump.
"I can't believe that in a month or so she'll be here." Caleb remarked, pressing a hand to Hanna's stomach, seeing if he could feel his baby girl's movements.
"I think I have a name." Hanna announced. They had been throwing names around for the past few weeks but nothing had stuck. Caleb had suggested – but it wasn't to Hanna's taste. She preferred names that could have nicknames or could be shortened.
"What about Lexie, well Alexis but we could call her Lexie." Hanna suggested.
"I like it, what about her middle name?" Caleb inquired. They weren't set on using any family names, they wanted something that would flow well with the baby's first name.
"I'm not really fond of Rose or Grace, I like them but they are way to common." Hanna informed. She had a taste for slightly unusual names, not too uncommon but different from the popular choices that most parents chose.
"Well we have time so we can think about it." Caleb replied, not wanting to commit to anything, the name that they chose would be with their baby girl for life so it was important to make the right choice.
I hope that you enjoyed this chapter, well a little introduction to Haleb's life in New York. Nothing much happened but it's an introduction to the Rivers family and what the future holds for them. Exciting things are ahead, what do you think Haleb will decide to name their baby girl? Other main characters are included in this story, like the main liars and their partners.
Please leave a review and let me know what you think of this chapter and if you would like me to carry on with this story. I could have the next chapter up within a week or so, give or take a few days as I have another story to update ;)