Hellooooo. I'm so glad you all enjoyed the last chapter. It was pretty deep and I don't think Caleb's emotional scars can be forgotten easily.

Some of you asked about Restraints in your reviews ~ I finally updated yesterday. Go check it out.

I'm not American and we don't have Memorial Day here, but I thought this made a sweet little storyline. RIP Wayne Fields, aka the best dad on the show and step forward Emily for a little Rivers family lovin'.

In other news, I got twitter. Go follow me so you can a) harass me to update b) see when I update c) I will be posting stuff about GGGB. My account is silenceevery

Enjoy below...

For Innocence

What size are Mimi and Evvy?

Hanna looked up from her position on the floor as her phone pinged, alerting her to a message. Caleb had taken Logan out to buy his new soccer kit and she certainly wasn't expecting him to come back with outfits for their two daughters as well. Clothes shopping was kind of her thing for a reason.

Do you mean height or width? She replied straight away.

Haha I mean clothes size

Evvy 6-9 months, Mimi 2-3 years. I'm concerned, what are you doing? She stared at her phone for a few seconds, but for some reason she just knew he wasn't going to reply. "What's Daddy doing?" She narrowed her eyes at the 8-month-old baby who was sat up in front of her, playing with one of her toys that lit up and never failed to entertain her.

"Dada," She smiled, batting her hands excitedly as the toy continued to entertain her.

"That's right, Daddy," Hanna grinned, leaning forward to kiss her cherubic cheek.

"Da!"

"What does this one do?" She asked her, encouraging her to press another button on her toy. Everly babbled and Hanna's smile grew. She was growing up too fast and she knew she had to treasure these moments. Her phone started to buzz and diverted her attention again, and she frowned as Alison's name flashed up on the screen. "Hey Ali," She quickly answered, smiling as Everly got bored with her toy and leant forward to try and reach for a colourful ball instead.

"Have you seen Em?" Alison got straight to the point.

"No," Hanna froze. It was the day before Memorial Day and Hanna knew this time of year was always tough.

"She's missing," Ali sounded pained.

"What do you mean, she's missing? Where's she supposed to be?"

"She was going to visit her Dad before the party tomorrow," She explained, "But that was like four hours ago and I went to look for her and she wasn't there and she hasn't come home."

"She's going to be fine, Ali," Hanna tried her best to comfort her, "You know how hard Memorial Day is for her."

"I know," Alison swallowed. "If you see her, just call me."

"Of course," Hanna agreed before Alison hung up on her.

"Ba!"

Hanna looked up and smiled slightly at her innocent daughter. Right now she knew nothing but love and affection from every face she recognised and the meaning of Memorial Day meant nothing to her. She hadn't faced loss or hurt and as unrealistic as it was, Hanna prayed she'd never have to. "That is a ball," She rolled the ball towards her, "We need to call Daddy," She said, more to herself as she dialled Caleb's number.

"Hey baby," He answered, "You have nothing to worry about," He said before she had a chance to say anything.

"You're asking about clothes," She grinned, "Of course I'm worried."

"I have good taste."

"Of course you do," Hanna said, a smile still on her face. "Have you seen Emily?"

"No," Caleb frowned, keeping an eye on Logan as he snooped around the shop they were in. "Why? Is she missing?"

"Daddy can we get this?" Logan asked, holding up a hat.

"One minute," Caleb held his finger to his lips. "Han?" He asked again.

"Erm, yeah," She eventually said, "Ali said she was going to visit her Dad but that was like 4 hours ago and she's starting to get worried."

"I haven't seen her in town," He repeated, frowning as his mind ran through all the places they'd been that morning, "I gotta go pick Mimi up but if I see her, I'll let you know okay?"

"Okay," Hanna agreed, "I love you."

"Love you too," He replied before hanging up and turning to Logan. "Okay, what do you wanna buy?" He asked, grinning at him.

"This," Logan held up a red Phillies hat. "Please Daddy," He begged him, "I love it."

Caleb had to roll his eyes; his kids were becoming far too concerned about what they wore. He completely blamed his wife. "Okay," He agreed, "Let's go pay for it, and then we gotta go pick your sister up."

"Can I wear it now?" Logan asked excitedly as Caleb gave the cashier his card.

"Sure," He agreed, placing it straight on Logan's head.

"No Daddy," He shook his head, taking it off and racing to the mirror, "Like this," He said, putting it on backwards.

"You're just way too cool for me," Caleb shook his head, placing a hand on his shoulder and guiding him out of the shop.

"Mommy says I'm cool."

"Then you're cool, bud," He agreed, taking in the oversized white t-shirt, white converse and jeans the five-year-old was wearing. "If you spot Aunty Emmy, can you let Daddy know?" He asked him, opening up the front door of the car for Logan to climb up into.

"Aunty Emmy's pretty," Logan said casually as Caleb opened up his own door and started up the engine.

"So you're not only cool but a charmer too? You are seriously gonna give me a run for my money."

"Mommy says—"

"Mommy says a lot doesn't she?" Caleb laughed as he backed out of their parking space.

"Mommy is the bestest."

"She is," Caleb agreed, driving in comfortable silence until they reached Mila's dance studio. "Come on bubba," He encouraged him, holding open the front door to the studio for him to run into.

He raced inside and headed straight to the glass wall, watching as a group of 15 little girls in pink tutus ran around excitedly, guided by two teachers. "This is exactly why we signed her up," Caleb muttered under his breath, watching his livewire daughter burn off as much energy as she could.

He pulled Logan in front of him and rested both his hands on his shoulders as the teacher at the front encouraged all the girls to sit down in a circle and finish up the lesson. Mila followed her instructions as best as she could before she looked up and spotted Caleb and Logan, her little mouth gasping excitedly. She scrambled to get up and Caleb watched as the teachers silently communicated before the door was opened and Mila came sprinting out the door straight at him.

He stepped away from Logan and squatted down, holding his arms out for his little ballerina as she ran as fast as her little legs would allow her towards her Daddy. "Hi pretty girl," He laughed, scooping her up and giving her a kiss. "Did you have fun today?"

She nodded and grinned, "I a bal'rina."

"You are. Has it tired you out?" He asked.

"No," Mila shook her head, the tiny bun staying right in place. Caleb dread to think how long she was sat at Hanna's vanity getting her hair done for her hour-long lesson, but she loved it; the hair, the dancing, the pinkness, the tutus... everything.

He shook his head, "Will anything tire you out?" He asked, giving her one more kiss before propping her on the floor and letting her greet Logan. They were so sweet towards one another, Logan immediately reaching for Mila's hand and gripping it in his own. They were just about to start walking towards the exit when Mila stopped in her tracks and squealed, letting go of Logan's hand to race towards a figure who was sat towards the back of the viewing area for parents.

"Aunty Emmy!"

Caleb whipped his head around as Logan followed his sister's path and ran over to the brunette who was currently embracing Mila and all of her affection she was dying to give out. "Emily?" He asked, approaching the three of them. "What are you doing here?" He said, pulling her into his arms when he noticed her red eyes and blotchy cheeks.

"We found you," Logan cheered, hugging her leg.

"I just needed to get away," She sniffled, picking Mila up and holding her close.

"So you came to the dance studio?" He asked, completely confused. How the hell did Emily even know that Mila had her dance class today.

Emily nodded, "I wanted to see her," She said, letting Mila down as she squirmed. "I knew she'd make me feel better."

"Come back to ours," He told her, leaving no room for argument. They both watched as Logan took Mila's hand again and started to make their way towards the door, clearly more than happy to head back home with Emily. "I know Han's worried about you."

"Okay," Emily nodded, following his lead as he chased after his two children.

"Lo, wait there," Caleb called, grateful when they stopped. "Time to play the hands on the car game," He told them, watching as they giggled and raced to their Audi to slap their hands on the side panel. "If I see one finger come off," He started, unlocking the car and grabbing Logan's booster seat to move to the back, "Then no party tomorrow."

Logan gasped and pressed his fingers as hard as he could against the car, "We won't Daddy," He promised, laughing with Mila until Caleb picked her up and moved round to strap her in.

"Good job," He praised him, "You win today," He said, helping him up into the back seat, "And now my lady," He rolled his eyes at Emily, "You chariot is ready."

"Thanks," She smiled.

"I'm going to tell Mommy I won," Logan remarked as Caleb jumped in and started the car.

"Mommy will be super proud."

"I won," Mila called, playing with the edge of her tutu that was trying to explode out of her car seat.

"We both won," Logan agreed, "But I was the longest," He added, reaching his hand out for Mila.

"How are you feeling?" Caleb asked gently, looking across at Emily as she sat there quietly.

"Better already," She smiled gratefully.

"Whenever I'm having a bad day," He started as they drove past the turning to Emily's house, "I come home and I know that despite the noise and craziness, Lo and my girls will flip my day right around."

Emily looked down at her hands and smiled, "I feel like they can have that effect on anyone."

"You know Em," He said softly, "I didn't know your Dad and no one in my family has ever fought for our country," He added, glancing back in the rearview mirror to check on Mila and Logan who were chatting happily amongst themselves, "But Han has always told me what an amazing guy he was and this party that Ali wants to throw tomorrow is about celebrating that."

"Thanks," She looked up at him, "Hanna's really lucky to have you."

"If you don't discuss it already at one of your girly swimming lessons, can you make sure you tell her that."

Emily laughed, "I think she already knows."

"When she's worried about what clothes I've been buying our girls, sometimes I think not."

"You've bought them clothes?" Emily cringed as he pulled into the driveway.

"What is wrong with my clothes choices?" He defended himself, rolling his eyes. "I get so much grief."

"Nothing," Emily raised her eyebrows, climbing out and following him as he unstrapped Mila and then let Logan out. "Nothing," She laughed again when he shot her a look and pulled out his shopping bags from the trunk of the car.

"Honestly," Caleb huffed, taking Mila's hand again and guiding her up to the front door, "You two are way too alike," He shook his head, although the smile on his face as he let them in told Emily he wasn't really annoyed. "Han?" He yelled as they made their way inside.

"Did you see Emily anywhere?" He heard a voice yell back from the living room. "I'm starting to get worried."

"We found her Mommy," Logan called, ditching his shoes by the door before scampering off to find Hanna.

He only made it halfway to the kitchen when she appeared, "You found her?" She asked, her voice full of hope as she made her way towards them with Everly on her hip.

"Momma, Aunty Emmy is here," Mila said excitedly, rushing her little tutu-clad butt over to Hanna.

"Did you find her?" She gasped, leaning down to give her a kiss as she nodded up at her.

Caleb walked over to her and gave her a quick kiss, "She was at the dance studio," He whispered in her ear, stealing Everly from her.

"Em," Hanna looked at her best friend with concern, rushing forward to pull her into a tight embrace, "Ali's worried about you."

"She shouldn't be," Emily said unconvincingly.

"I'm worried about you."

"I'm fine."

"You're not fine." She whispered, holding her close. "But we can make you fine. Rivers have special healing powers."

"They do," She glanced up to catch Caleb kissing Everly's cheek. Hanna turned her head to see what she was looking at and bit her lip as she watched him kneel down to let Logan and Mila tell their baby sister all about the adventures they'd had that day. "All four of them," Emily said, resting her head on Hanna's shoulder. And she meant it.


Emily woke up in a foreign bed. She was confused for a moment before she remembered Hanna had insisted she stay over the night before. The brunette hadn't put up much of a fight. As much as she loved Ali, right now she didn't want to be in their house, worrying about what decorations screamed red, white and blue, and where to put a picture of her father so that everyone could pay their respects whilst deciding what spirit to have in their drink. No... she was pretty happy where she was.

She pushed herself out of bed and took a look in the mirror, laughing at how short Hanna's pajama bottoms came up on her legs before she made her way downstairs, heading towards the noise that was emanating from the kitchen and spreading throughout the house.

"You're up," Hanna smiled at her as she looked up from her position at the kitchen table where she was feeding Everly her breakfast.

"Aunty Emmy!" Logan exclaimed, "Why are you still here?" He asked, letting her pick him up and settle him on her lap before he went back to his food.

"Because, I stayed over last night," She explained, reaching for the jug of orange juice to pour herself a drink.

"Like a sleepover?" Logan probed.

"Just like a sleepover," Emily agreed as Caleb followed a giggling Mila, clad only in her panties, into the room.

"Aunty Emmy!" She gasped just like her brother had, rushing forward to hug her. "I go peepee!"

"Are they always like this in the morning?" Emily asked, slightly bemused by the chaos that was a Rivers breakfast.

"Oh yeah," Hanna raised her eyebrows, as Mila scrambled back up onto her seat, "They get their morning happiness from Daddy for sure."

"Mommy," Mila whined, reaching out for her cup of water that was just out of reach.

"Here," She soothed her, placing the cup right in front of her, just as Everly started to cry out in frustration at not having her next mouthful of yoghurt.

"Mila, what do you say?" Caleb prompted her.

"Tank you Momma," She said before gulping down her water.

"And what do we say to Aunty Emmy?" He asked her, reaching out to stroke her hair.

"'Appee Memor Day," The toddler tried to get out, looking up at her godmother expectantly.

"Wow, thank you pretty girl," Emily smiled at her, squeezing Logan's waist.

"Perfect," Caleb whispered in Mila's ear, leaning across to nuzzle his nose against her cheek as she blushed. "Coffee?" He asked their guest, standing up to make a fresh pot.

"Me," Hanna smiled up at him, tilting her head as he moved behind her and pressed a kiss against her forehead. "How are you feeling about the party?" She fed Everly her last spoonful before turning to look at Emily with concern. "And eat. Seriously, they do not stop eating and there won't be any food left soon."

"Fine," Emily reassured her, leaning forward to grab a croissant. "I know Ali's only doing it out of love."

"It'll be fun," She said, watching as Logan pushed himself off Emily to follow Caleb into the kitchen. He was still wearing his new hat that Caleb had bought him and Hanna thought he looked completely adorable wearing it whilst still in his pajamas. He'd pretty much tried to sleep with it on the night before. "Ali told me she's setting up a paddling pool for the kids."

"I told her I wanted it to be about them," Emily murmured quietly, happily taking Everly from Hanna as she unstrapped her from her high chair. "They're so innocent," She sighed, "They're the reason Dad sacrificed his life."

Hanna sighed, taking in the sight of her best friend with her youngest daughter, "He'd want you to have your own, Em," She broached the one topic that Emily often refused to talk about.

"I know," Emily said sadly. "I…"

"But if you don't," Hanna filled the silence, "I know my babies see you as the second best thing to Mommy and Daddy."

Emily laughed, kissing Everly as she tugged on her hair, "And I see you as my baby," She cooed at her, "But you're Mommy's baby first," She added, bouncing her on her lap, "Yes you are," She pouted, squeezing her tight.

"Ma!"

"Mommy," Logan interrupted their conversation, heading straight for Hanna as Caleb followed him with a pot of fresh coffee.

"What baby?" She asked him, holding his chin between her thumb and her finger.

"Me and Daddy bought Mimi and Evvy dresses for the party," He said bashfully, leaning on her leg.

"Did you?" She said, stroking his hair. "Are you going to show us?" She prompted him, watching as he rushed off to the shopping bags Caleb had brought in the previous day.

"Don't look at me like that," Caleb shot her a wry grin, placing the coffee on the table before wrapping his arms around her shoulders from behind.

"I'm not," She tried adamantly.

"Trust me," He said, kissing her cheek, "You're going to like them."

"Mommy," Logan huffed as he dragged the bag over, "Are you ready?" He asked her excitedly.

"I'm so ready," She smiled, propping her head in her hand as Caleb took a seat next to her.

"Mimi, me and Daddy got you a present," He told his baby sister before pulling out the sweetest little white dress that was covered in red flowers with a sky blue neckline.

"You're spoiling her," Hanna sang as Mila jumped down and squealed.

"Lo wanted to get it for her," Caleb defended himself, "For the party," He added, "Which really means its all Em's fault."

"Hey!" Emily laughed.

"Mila, come here and let me wipe your face," Hanna encouraged her, "And then you can put your new pretty dress on." Mila did as she was told before dancing around in excitement as Hanna reached for the dress and pulled it over her head.

"Wow," Emily praised her, "You look so beautiful," She added as Mila spun around.

"What do you say to Lo and Daddy?" Hanna asked the little girl. "And I think they need a big hug."

"Tank you," Mila rushed out, hugging Logan tightly before racing over to her Daddy to do the same.

"It's for the party," Logan explained, leaning on Hanna's leg as she wrapped an arm around his waist.

"It's beautiful Logi," She said, kissing his forehead.

"Do you take it back?" Caleb looked at Hanna expectantly as Mila climbed on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. "And you," He looked over at Emily.

"Okay, you picked good," Hanna conceded, leaning over to give him a kiss. "You're seriously spoiling her though," She warned him.

"I can't help it," He grinned, squeezing Mila against him tightly and kissing her over and over, loving her laugh. "Look at her face."

"Oh, I look at it everyday," She retorted, biting her lip and raising his eyebrows as she nodded.

Emily laughed at the pair of them as she helped Everly to stand on her lap, "Mommy's being silly," She shook her head, "Your sister is worth every dress Daddy buys her."

"You're as bad as he is," Hanna shook her head. "And because of that, I'm kicking you out."

"Hanna!"

"No," She grinned, standing and stealing Everly back, "We have a party to get ready for and you are not helping. I love you, but I'm kicking you out. You can return the pajamas tomorrow."


Hanna found herself cornered as soon as she arrived at Alison and Emily's house. Spencer and Aria dragged her off to the side before she'd even managed to grab a drink and demanded she fill them in on how Emily was after her MIA status the day before.

"What happened?" Aria demanded to know as they stood near the fireplace.

"She got upset about her Dad," Hanna explained, "And she ended up watching Mimi's dance class," She added. "You know they have some freaky godmother-daughter, god-something bond."

"I know," Aria nodded, looking down. "I'm just glad she felt like she had somewhere to go."

"She stayed over last night and I think it helped her a lot," Hanna said, holding a hand out for Mila as she ran towards her in her brand new dress. "I mean, how could it not when you have this face to look at every moment," She grinned, propping Mila on her hip and cupping her cheek.

"And you say Caleb spoils her," Emily approached them in her patriotic outfit with a smile on her face.

"I do not spoil her."

"Em," Spencer and Aria pulled her in for a tight hug. "We're here for you."

"I know," Emily acknowledged them. "And you do, Hanna. You really do."

"Does Mommy spoil you?" Hanna looked at Mila and shook her head, encouraging her to give the answer she wanted to hear.

"No," Mila giggled, "Mommy play," She begged her.

"Tell Aunty Emmy how much you love her and then we can go play outside."

"I love you," Mila reached for Emily, hugging her tightly.

"I love you too my baby girl," Emily squeezed her body against hers, "Can I come play with you too?"

"Yes," Mila nodded, letting Emily put her down before she dragged her outside.

Hanna sighed as she watched them go, before looking back up at Spencer and Aria. "She needs one," She said, "She's too scared to admit it."

"Her and Ali are living together now," Aria pointed out, "She's getting there."

"Does Ali even want a baby?" Spencer asked, a look on her face that told her she didn't believe it one bit.

"Is she not holding your daughter?" Hanna shot her a look as they made their way outside into the backyard that was brimming with people. "I feel like she might be ready for it. When she's playing with Lo and Mimi or holding Evvy, you can see in her face that she loves it."

"She loves Harper too," Aria added, looking at Spencer hopefully.

"Aria, why is Ezra on the grill?" Hanna interjected.

"Why wouldn't he be on the grill?" She defended her husband.

"Some men were born to grill," She started, "Other's were not."

"And let me guess," Spencer rolled her eyes, "Caleb was."

"We can't all marry an all rounder."

"You're ridiculous," Aria shook her head with a smile on her face, looping her arm through Hanna's.

"Mommy!" Logan called her over, "Come look."

"What are they doing?" Aria murmured as they made their way over to the back corner where most of the kids had gathered around an empty flowerbed, with Alison at the helm.

"What is it Lo?" Hanna asked, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"Aunty Ali wants us to plant flowers," He said, "Can I Mommy? Please?"

"Sure baby," She wrapped an arm around him, "What's it for?"

"For Emily's Daddy," He explained casually. Hanna felt herself freeze momentarily and looked across the yard to search for Emily and her daughter. They were happily playing with Caleb and Everly in the grass and she squeezed Logan's waist when he looked up at her in confusion. "You help Aunty Ali, I'll be right back."

She left him with Aria and some of the other children and headed over to her family, "She loves the flags," She heard Caleb say and she smiled as Emily leant across to flutter the flag in front of Everly some more. "Hey babe," Caleb looked up as he felt her approaching.

"Mommy," Mila held up a flag too and waved it in front of her face.

"Hi baby," She smiled, "Are you having fun?" She asked, sitting up on her knees behind Caleb and wrapping her arms around his chest.

"It's a fwag," Mila said, "Here baby girl," She leant across and gave it to Everly, repeating the words she heard Caleb say every day.

"She is way too impressionable," Emily laughed.

"Em," Hanna said gently, watching as Emily reached out to stroke a hand through Mila's hair. "Do you know what Ali's doing?"

"What's she doing?" Caleb turned his head to look up at her.

"She's getting the kids to plant flowers," Emily explained, "For my Dad."

"Are you okay with that?" Hanna asked with concern as Caleb reached a hand up to stroke her wrist comfortingly.

"Ali said it can be my corner," She added, "Where I can think of him."

"Da!" Everly called, waving the flag in her hand around, "Dada!"

Emily smiled contently, "Your Daddy is one of the best things to ever happen to you," She agreed with the baby, ducking her head down to kiss her precious cheek as she smiled away. "Spending the night at yours… And today with Ali when I came home," She started, "It made me realize that I'm ready."

"Ready for what?" Hanna asked, her hand stroking Caleb's chest as they both sat there waiting for her answer. They loved her. They just wanted her to be happy.

"Ready to think about my Dad and remember him," She looked up at them and smiled. "And enjoy remembering him."

Hanna moved around and wrapped her in her arms, smiling tenderly over at Caleb as the sun beat down on their little family and group of friends, "That's all we want Em," Hanna said softly. Maybe she was ready for the next chapter with Ali too. "And hearing you say that, it makes it the best Memorial Day it could be."


Review? xoxo

And go follow me on twitter ~ silenceevery