Boris Yeltsin: Sounds like a wonderful Christmas! Happy New Year!
AshBenzoLove: Regina is my fave, so of course I had to make her a Haleb shipper! We're getting there...
PrettyLittleAshwee11: Wow, spoiler alert! Haha, but seriously, that's almost exactly what's gonna happen... Am I that predictable? Oh, well. It's a little more complicated than Hanna just convincing him to stay, but that's not for a little while anyway.
Enjoy!
It was the morning of Hanna's 27th birthday, and so far, the day had been pretty close to perfect. Jordan had surprised her with the limited edition Chanel bag she had been eyeing for the past several weeks. Then, Dorota had made Hanna her favorite breakfast, and she and Jordan had taken the spread out to their back deck and enjoyed it under the warm morning sun.
Her friends had sent her a Sprinkles Cupcakes birthday arrangement, and her mother had stopped by with champagne and chocolate covered strawberries.
Jordan had insisted they were just going for a "quiet dinner" that night to celebrate, but she was pretty certain he was actually planning a surprise party for her just like he had every year since they had met. And every year, she pretended to be shocked, just to see that look of pure elation on his face when he determined he had pulled it off yet again.
In most ways, it was just like every other year. But, in one major way, it wasn't.
Hanna was in the kitchen with Jordan, her mother, and Dorota, half-way through her second mimosa, when her phone rang. She slipped it out of her pocket and glanced at the screen to see a familiar name on the Caller I.D.
"I'll be right back," Hanna excused herself, making her way back out to the backyard where she knew her conversation wouldn't be overheard.
"Hello?" she answered the call.
"Happy birthday, beautiful," she heard Caleb's deep voice reply immediately.
"Mmm, thank you," she murmured, smiling contently.
"How's your day been so far?" he asked.
"It's been good. Dorota made chocolate chip pancakes and bacon and eggs and toast and pretty much every breakfast food imaginable," she replied, laughing as she thought about how much food there had been left over.
"All your favorites," he observed, well aware that breakfast was her favorite meal of the day.
"Mmhmm," she agreed. "And then my mom came over with champagne, and Dorota made us mimosas, and then you called, and it got even better." She didn't need to mention Jordan's role in the day; Caleb already knew he was home, hence why he couldn't be the one waking up next to her that morning.
"Sounds like your perfect day," he concluded. She had to admit, it almost was. But there was one big thing missing.
"What else are you doing today?" He wanted her to have the perfect day, despite how much it hurt that he wasn't a part of it.
"Well, I'm pretty sure I'm getting a surprise party, just like I have for the last four straight years, but I'm not supposed to know, so shhhh!" she informed him, giggling.
"If they do it every year, then why do they still expect you to be surprised?" he questioned, chuckling.
"Well, they always come up with some lie about something else we're supposedly doing, and they probably just think I'm too stupid to figure it out anyway," she replied, only half-joking.
"Han," Caleb sighed. "You are not stupid." He seriously thought she was the most amazing person he'd ever met, and he didn't understand how she didn't see herself the same way.
"Well, even if it's not much of a surprise, I'm not complaining," she said, not bothering to agree with or argue his claim that she wasn't stupid. "I love parties, especially when I'm the guest of honor."
He laughed in response. Why was he not surprised? She did like to make things all about her. Not that he minded. They were complete opposites in that way. And a lot of other ways, actually.
"So, I know he's home, but is there any way I can see you today? Even just for five minutes?" he asked desperately. He knew their relationship was complicated, and probably shouldn't even be classified as a "relationship" at all, but, regardless of their status, she was a huge part of his life, and he couldn't imagine not seeing her on her birthday.
Hanna hesitated. She knew it wasn't a good idea. Between Jordan being home, and all of her family and friends paying extra attention to her, she knew it really wasn't a good time to sneak out to see Caleb. But, in all honesty, she really wanted to see him, too. They spent so much time together every other day of the year, so it didn't seem right not to spend any of her birthday with him.
"Yeah," she heard herself saying, her heart clearly taking over for her head. "I'll figure something out. What are you up to later?"
"Just trying to see my favorite girl on her birthday," he answered. "I can adjust the rest of my schedule around that."
Hanna couldn't help the wide smile that spread across her face. He was seriously just too sweet.
"Okay, I'll text you the plan when I figure it out," she replied, thinking about when she could sneak away for a few minutes. Maybe before "dinner," AKA her surprise party. "I should probably go now, though," she said reluctantly, wanting to keep talking to him all day long, but knowing her husband and mother were waiting for her inside.
"Okay," he sighed, not wanting to hang up, either. "I'll see you later then, I hope."
"Bye, Caleb," Hanna murmured through the phone.
"Bye, Han," he replied softly before she disconnected the call.
Shortly after Hanna got off the phone with Caleb and made her way back inside, the doorbell rang. Jordan went to answer it, and Ashley turned to Hanna with a suspicious look on her face as soon as he was out of earshot.
"Who was that on the phone?" she asked pointedly.
"Just...someone," she said vaguely, aware that her mother had most likely figured it out already anyway.
"Was it Caleb?" she asked quietly.
"It's really none of your business," Hanna replied harshly.
"Hanna Olivia Marin-Hobart - " Ashley began, before breaking off as they both heard Jordan's voice.
"I'm assuming these are for you, darling," he told Hanna as he walked back into the kitchen carrying a vase filled with a bouquet of her favorite flowers, peonies.
Hanna gasped as she took in the sight of the beautiful arrangement, taking it from him and placing it on the kitchen island.
She searched the flowers for a card, not finding one, but she was fairly certain she knew who they were from.
"Those are pretty," Ashley observed, but Hanna could hear the underlying note of judgment in her tone.
Jordan hummed in agreement. "Who sent them?" he questioned.
"I'm not sure," Hanna lied. "There's no card."
She didn't miss the look of irritation that flashed across her mother's face. Hanna was pretty sure she had a good idea of who had sent the arrangement as well.
Several hours later, Hanna found herself on Caleb's doorstep, ringing the doorbell as she stood waiting in her "dinner" attire, her hair curled to perfection, and her makeup flawless. She had told Jordan that a friend from the campaign, Mona, had invited her and a couple other people from the office over for celebratory drinks, and that she would just meet him at the restaurant.
Caleb grinned at her as soon as he opened the door and saw her, before pulling her into his arms for a tight hug.
"Happy birthday, babe," he murmured in her ear, pressing a kiss against her hair.
"Thank you," she said appreciatively as she pulled back, before following him into his living room and sinking down onto the sofa next to him, curling her legs up beside her.
Brody came running in from the backyard, barking excitedly as he saw Hanna, before settling on the floor at their feet.
"You look beautiful," Caleb told her as he took in the tight blush pink dress she was wearing. "Are you excited for tonight?"
"I guess," she replied, shrugging. In all honesty, she was pretty content curled up with Caleb right now, and she knew she would be just as happy to slip into a pair of his sweatpants, order Chinese, and watch a movie. Instead, she was going to have to pretend to be shocked at her surprise party just to please her husband, and make small talk with a bunch of people she really didn't care to. Including Jordan's insufferable mother. She didn't want to say she hated her mother-in-law; it's just that they didn't exactly see eye-to-eye on many things.
"Oh!" he exclaimed, standing up suddenly. "Before I forget, I have something for you."
"You didn't have to get me anything!" Hanna called out after him as he walked towards his bedroom.
He returned with two small gifts, which he must have, completely adorably, attempted to wrap himself, since they were a mess of wrinkled wrapping paper and tape. Not that Hanna could judge, seeing as she never even attempted, instead opting to get her gifts professionally wrapped.
He suddenly looked shy and slightly embarrassed as he handed them over to her, much different than the cocky, confident smirks Hanna was used to.
"Seriously, Caleb, you did not have to get me anything," she repeated as he sat back down next to her. "You sent the flowers, too, didn't you?"
He nodded sheepishly, smiling slightly. "It's just something small. It's silly, really," he said about the gifts as she began to rip the paper on the smaller of the two.
She looked slightly confused as she pulled out a package of colored pencils, shooting Caleb a questioning look.
"Keep going," he chuckled, encouraging her to open the other gift. It would make more sense when they were both revealed.
She tore into the other one and pulled out a sketch book, the cover customized to say, "Designed by Hanna" over the marble background.
"Caleb," she breathed out, her eyes filling with tears as she looked back up at him.
"You're so passionate about fashion, Han," he said. "And your designs are really good. I know you said you haven't done any since high school, but I just thought maybe you could start again. Just for fun, if that's what you want. But I really think you could something with your talent, too. I just wish you believed in yourself even half as much as I believe in you."
"Caleb," she whispered again as she moved closer to him on the couch, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him deeply.
She stayed curled into him even after they separated, and he reached for the package of colored pencils.
"You know I don't know anything about this stuff," he started. "But I did some research, and people say these are really good for sketching designs."
Her heart just about melted when he said this. He had researched fashion design, colored pencils, for her.
"You are amazing, Caleb Rivers," she murmured, kissing him again to show him just how much she appreciated him. She seriously had no idea what she had done to deserve him in her life.
They stayed curled up like that for a while, talking and catching up - they hadn't seen each other in a few days, since Jordan had been home preparing for Hanna's birthday - when Caleb pulled away and stood up again.
"I do have one more small thing for you," he told her before he made his way to the kitchen, coming back a few seconds later with an open Lucky Leon's Cupcakes box.
He placed it down on the coffee table in front of her, and she laughed as she saw the half dozen cupcakes, each with a candle in the middle.
"Happy birthday, Han," he said, wrapping an arm around her.
"You are so cute, babe," she replied, stroking his cheek gently before turning back to the pastries.
"Make a wish," he encouraged, running his hand down her back as she leaned forward to blow out the candles.
After she had made her wish and blown out all the little flames, she removed the candles and picked out a cupcake for each of them.
She flicked on the television to HGTV, which she only half paid attention to as they ate their cupcakes and talked some more, and the time after that passed way too quickly for either of their liking.
Hanna had felt her phone buzz in her pocket several times, finally taking it out and looking at the screen to see five texts from Jordan, all saying something to the effect of, "Are you almost here?" or "Where are you?"
"You have to go, don't you?" Caleb asked, his disappointment evident in his tone and on his face.
She nodded sadly. "I do," she confirmed, sighing, and standing up.
Brody jumped up excitedly when she started walking to the door, Caleb following behind her, thinking they were taking him for a walk like they often did.
"Sorry, buddy, I have to go," Hanna told the dog, crouching down to pet him. "I'm sure I'll see you soon, though," she said before standing back up and facing Caleb.
"I wish you could be there tonight," she told Caleb softly.
"Me, too," he agreed, nodding slowly, a sad smile on his face. "But I'm glad I got to see you for a little while, at least." He knew he was being greedy, and he shouldn't have even gotten this time with her, but he couldn't help it. He just wanted to be with her all the time.
He pulled her in close to hug her goodbye, and she placed one last kiss against his lips before she turned and started walking towards her car.
"Hanna?" he called out after her, making her stop and turn back to face him expectantly.
He opened and closed his mouth repeatedly for a few seconds, clearly nervous, and Hanna could hear her heart pounding as she waited for him to speak.
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. He was going to say it.
Caleb's mind was racing as well, desperate to tell her how he felt, but quickly trying to remind himself why he couldn't do that.
"Uh, have fun tonight," he finally finished lamely.
Hanna didn't know whether to be disappointed or relieved that he hadn't said it.
"Oh. Um, thanks," she said awkwardly, before getting in her car, attempting to blink back the hot tears that seemed to be giving her her answer.
Disappointed. Definitely disappointed.
When Hanna arrived at the restaurant she was supposed to have met Jordan at an hour ago, he was waiting at the entrance, and she could see the look of relief that flashed across his face as soon as he saw her.
"I was worried about you, sweetheart," he told her as he grabbed her arm, leading her into a private room off to the side.
She was completely un-surprised when he opened the door to reveal all of her friends and family, as well as a lot of people she faintly recognized.
"Surprise!" they all called out in unison, as Hanna put on her best attempt at a shocked expression.
"Are you surprised, darling?" Jordan asked her immediately, a huge grin on his face as he clearly believed her fake surprise.
"I am...totally shocked," she lied, and not even very convincingly, but he didn't seem to notice. "This is amazing," she tried to sound enthusiastic, but her heart wasn't in it. She was too busy thinking about Caleb. About their conversation right before she left. She couldn't believe she had been stupid enough to think he was going to tell her he loved her. Of course he didn't love her. How could he love her? And even if, by some miracle, he actually did, it's not like he would actually tell her. Their relationship wasn't like that. Couldn't be like that. Her feelings for him were obviously just making her crazy and deluded.
"I see my friends," she told Jordan, noticing Aria, Jason, Emily, Samara, Spencer, and Toby by the bar. "I'm just gonna go say hi."
She made her way over to the bar, and Aria started giggling and squealing as soon as Hanna got close.
"You're late," Spencer said pointedly, as Aria handed Hanna a glass of champagne, laughing hysterically.
"And she is very drunk," Hanna observed, as the petite brunette held on to Jason for support.
"Well, what else were we supposed to do?" Spencer retorted. "You're an hour late!"
"A queen is never late. Everyone else is simply...early," Hanna said dramatically, quoting one of her favorite movies. Toby and Jason exchanged confused glances, but Emily, Samara, and Aria all laughed, Aria the loudest of them all, of course, while Spencer just rolled her eyes.
"Can I talk to you for a sec?" Spencer asked, grabbing her arm and pulling her aside, not giving her a chance to respond.
"Where have you been?" Spencer asked suspiciously.
Hanna avoided eye contact, looking around the room and sipping her champagne.
"Were you with Caleb?"
"So what if I was?" Hanna snapped, frustrated, throwing her hands up. "It's my birthday; I should get to spend it with whoever I want."
Spencer rolled her eyes again. She couldn't believe how selfish Hanna was being.
"Not when 'who you want to spend it with' is the guy you're screwing behind your husband's back. The same husband who put together this entire party for you, and has been dying for you to get here for the last hour to see your reaction," Spencer reminded her.
Hanna sighed, feeling slightly guilty. She knew Jordan loved her, and she knew what she was doing to him was wrong. But she was also tired of constantly being reminded of it.
"Caleb's important to me, Spencer. So, I wanted to see him on my birthday. Sue me," she said to the brunette, shaking her head as she switched out her empty champagne glass on a passing waiter's tray, before she made her way out to the adjacent patio.
The patio was empty, which is what Hanna had been hoping for. She didn't even want to be here. She was considering whether or not anyone would notice if she snuck out and went back to Caleb's - there was truly nowhere she would rather be right now than wrapped up in his arms - when a voice broke her from her thoughts.
"So I hear you've been sneaking around with my best friend."
Hanna turned, leaning against the railing as she saw Toby walking towards her.
"How do you know about that?" she asked furiously.
"Unlike some people, my wife tells me things," Toby replied, a teasing smile on his lips as he took the spot against the railing next to her.
"Toby!" Hanna exclaimed indignantly. "That is not fair!"
"She's really mad at you," he said casually, as he took a sip of his beer.
"I know," Hanna sighed. "I'm surprised she even came tonight. Are you?" she asked, turning to face him. "Mad at me, I mean."
"I don't really know what to think," he said honestly. "What are you doing, Hanna?" he asked after a pause. Spencer had asked her the same question, but, unlike Spencer, Toby's wasn't filled with anger or accusation, just genuine curiosity. Maybe a little concern.
"What do you mean?" she asked, avoiding the question, despite Toby's pure intentions.
"I mean..." he began, considering his next words. "I know I'm definitely no marriage expert - Spencer and I have only been married a few months, after all - and I know you've been married a lot longer than we have, so maybe you know something I don't," he said carefully. "But I couldn't imagine wanting to be with anyone else. I love Spencer more than anything, and I am...completely content with her."
"What are you saying?" she asked, an edge to her voice.
"I'm saying that...maybe you should look at your marriage first, and figure out what's wrong there," he said slowly, slightly nervous for her reaction.
"There is nothing 'wrong' with my marriage!" she argued. She and Toby weren't even that close; how dare he come in and make assumptions about her life, her relationships? "I love Jordan!" she insisted.
"Okay!" Toby threw his hands up in front of him, almost defensively. "That's great. But then I guess you need to think about what you're doing with Caleb. Look, I haven't even talked to him about this, so I don't know how he feels about any of it, but I do know that he's a really good guy, Hanna. It might not seem like it, but he has a huge heart. And he doesn't let people in easily. I just don't want to see him get hurt."
Little did he know, she thought to herself. Here he was, trying to convince her that Caleb was a good guy, when she knew that better than anyone. Just a little while ago, she had been holding her breath, hoping he was about to tell her that he loved her.
"And I don't want to hurt him," Hanna said honestly, hoping Toby understood what she meant, understood just how much she cared about him, without actually having to say it out loud. "Do you think I'm crazy?" she asked him.
He laughed. "No, I don't think you're crazy. I've seen Caleb turn on the charm before, so I know for a fact you're not the first woman he's gotten to fall all over him," he said with a grin. "And besides, it makes sense to me. I always thought you guys would be good together - that's why I tried to set you up," he added casually.
Hanna whipped her head around to face him. "What are you talking about?" What did he mean, "he had tried to set them up"?
"What do you mean?" Toby asked, clearly confused. "You didn't know? Back in high school, Spencer and I tried getting you to go on that double date with us. That was him."
"Toby, are you messing with me right now?" Hanna asked, her breath catching in her throat. She didn't remember anything about this.
"What?" Toby asked, raising his eyebrows. "No! It was right after you broke up with...that football player."
"Sean," Hanna filled in for him.
"Yeah, him," Toby confirmed. "I thought you two would really hit it off - and apparently I was right," he said with a smile. "But you said you weren't ready to start seeing someone new. I tried for weeks to convince you to give him a chance, but you wouldn't budge."
"Oh my god," she breathed out, vaguely remembering those conversations now.
She suddenly felt dizzy, felt like she was going to be sick.
This couldn't he happening.
All this time, she had thought about how different things could have been, if, by some reversal of fate, she had met Caleb before Jordan. And now, it turns out, she could have. She should have. If she had just gone on that date, instead of crying over the minister's son who was never even that interested in her anyway, she could have met Caleb a decade ago. Way before Jordan came into the picture. They could be together. For real. No guilt, or judgment, or lying, or sneaking around.
"Are you okay?" Toby asked urgently, clearly concerned, but also confused.
"Uh, yeah," Hanna choked out, shaking her head as she attempted to recover from her shock. "I just...need a minute. You should go back inside."
Toby smiled at her, squeezing her hand supportively before he made his way back to the party, leaving Hanna standing there alone, feeling like she was about to cry, or pass out, or throw up, or do any combination of those things.