Hello Lovelies. I know, I know it's been a while so I won't make any more promises. :) Enjoy and as always keep the reviews coming. To answer a specific question. Caleb never came across, to me, as the type of person to tell any adult the full story, even Ashley Marin, so no he didn't tell Claudia the full story. He just told her a brief synopsis but when Claudia likes someone she sees the good not the overpowering bad.
Hanna fell asleep during the massage and Caleb let her sleep. He put her comforter and sheets over her naked form while he cleaned her tub before blowing out the candles and putting the food in the fridge. Caleb debated on whether Hanna would accept him sleeping in the same bed as her but he decided against it and took the couch. Caleb grabbed a pillow and comforter from the closet and made a makeshift bed for himself on the couch. This is what he and Hanna needed right now and he wouldn't initiate anything that she wasn't ready for.
Hanna opens her eyes and realized two things at once. First she was definitely still naked and second she was alone in her bed. Hanna knew Caleb enough to know he wouldn't have left without telling her. He also wouldn't have woken her up to make her lock up which meant he was still here. Hanna gets up and walks into the bathroom to pee. When she turns on the lights she realized how immaculate her tub was and knew she didn't leave it like that.
"He cleaned my tub" Hanna says as she finished using the bathroom, wiped herself, washed her hands and turned off the light before closing the door behind her. Hanna walks downstairs and sees Caleb uncomfortably laying on her couch. Hanna watched him, amazed at many things. One such thing was the fact that he wanted to marry her so long ago and she blew it. She disappointed him and she wouldn't forgive herself for that just yet. Hanna moves the comforter off of him and manages to situate herself between him and the back of the couch. She covers her body with the comforter and rests the side of her head on his chest while her arm rests on his stomach. Caleb didn't move so Hanna went to sleep. She rather be uncomfortable with him then comfortable without him.
Miranda sat on her unmade bed. She sniffed her pillows and smiled at still being able to smell Caleb. They were back. The sex they had was great and no mention of Hanna was always a bright side. Miranda liked Hanna but she wanted Caleb back. He was hers and plus now her boss was asking her to get Caleb to fall for her again leaving Hanna to some guy named Jordan. Obviously Jordan was important to Tristan. If he wasn't he wouldn't have changed Miranda's job description from trying to hack Caleb's system to wanting her to just hack Caleb's mind and body. Miranda sees her phone light up and smiles. Claudia. Miranda couldn't deny that she loved Claudia. Miranda answers.
"Hey Claudia" Miranda says.
"Hello my dear. So can I start planning the wedding now." Claudia asks. Miranda laughs.
"Not yet but I think it will only be a matter of time. I'm still going to need your help Claudia." Miranda says as her conversation with Claudia continues.
Jordan reaches his new home in Malibu having sold the last one. He couldn't stand being around CeCe's things and during the week of her murder all Jordan kept seeing was blood, everywhere. Jordan hears the doorbell and rolls his eyes at knowing that it was either one out of two people.
"It's open" Jordan says as he hears the door open and footsteps coming towards the kitchen. Jordan looks at his brother before pouring him a scotch.
"Tristan. I've seen more of you the past month then I did after our father died." Jordan says as he hands Tristan a glass.
"I know and I've missed you little brother. So how are things with you and Hanna." Tristan asks amused. Jordan's eyes narrow as he closes the bottle.
"It would be better if Caleb wasn't around but she said something profound the last time we were together." Jordan says. Tristan smirks.
"Did she . . . and what was that Jordan?" Tristan asks. Jordan sits on the recliner facing Tristan.
"She asked if she would be able to make me happy being in love with Caleb." Tristan clasps his hands and rests his chin on those said clasped hands. Tristan smirks.
"That doesn't surprise me. Hanna Marin is very selfless." Tristan says as Jordan looks at him suspiciously.
"Why do I have a decisive suspicion that you know Hanna." Jordan says. Tristan laughs.
"Because I do dear brother. I've known her for a long time. Her and her friends." Tristan says as he finishes his drink.
"So she knows you?" Jordan asks not liking what he was hearing. Tristan stands up and leaves his glass on the table.
"Unquestionably, all of them do, all though none of them can say that they really know me." Tristan says. Tristan walks to the door and smirks as he opens it. "Jordan." Tristan says. Jordan freezes before walking into the kitchen. He hated that tone Tristan had. If anything Jordan would have to admit that his brother reminded him of the Joker from Batman. An unrestrained narcissistic psychopath and their father, when he was alive, was no better.
"Yes Tristan." Jordan says.
"You will get Hanna dear brother because she will be given an ultimatum. I'm getting bored with trying to get Caleb back on our payroll. However, be prepared to not have Hanna's heart Jordan. That is something she won't be able to give you fully." Tristan says as he starts whistling, closing the door behind him. Jordan closes his eyes. Could he really be with Hanna knowing that she wasn't happy? For a while definitely but he didn't want half of her. He wanted all of her.
"Damn it" Jordan says as he rests his hands on his counter top. Jordan looks at his cellphone as it lights up beside his hand. Liz's picture and number light up the screen. Jordan answers.
"Come over Elizabeth. I need you . . . now." Jordan says before hanging up. He knew Liz would come like she did the many times before CeCe and after her death.
Tristan sits in the back of his limo and smiles. Going after Caleb was tiresome. Lucky for Rivers, what he lost at the time Caleb cleared his name, he got back with the deal Liz sealed in Japan. Xi called and told him she was outstanding and due to Liz's . . . skills . . . Xi doubled his offer which tripled the income the Harris's were going to receive. Tristan knew he should actually thank Hanna. It was what Hanna dressed Liz in that first day, afternoon and night, that got Xi's attention. Supposedly the backless dress that first night showed off all of her curves exactly how they needed to be seen. Xi called Tristan immediately; Tristan told Liz what she would need to do the day before they left to return to the states. Liz came through and the video proved that the slut actually enjoyed herself.
"Good thing Elizabeth doesn't mean anything to me since everyone knows how much I hate sharing." Tristan says to himself. The driver looks in the rearview mirror before looking forward. Tristan made him nervous, he always had.
Caleb's eyes open. He was suddenly a lot warmer than he was when he went to sleep. He looks at the blonde head on his chest. His hand smooths her hair down before he kisses the top of her head. Caleb was impressed that he was able to move from under Hanna without waking her. Caleb stands and stares at Hanna before picking her up and walking upstairs. Caleb lays Hanna down before undressing and spooning her. He covers their bodies with the comforter holding her close against him. Hanna moans and Caleb groans.
"The death of me Han . . . I swear you'll be the death of me." Caleb says. Hanna smiles but doesn't open her eyes.
"I will never be the death of you and honestly Caleb I think you'll be just fine without me." Hanna says softly.
"Take it back." Caleb says seriously. Hanna's eyes open slowly as she looks at her bathroom door.
"Take back what" Hanna says softly.
"That I'll be fine without you. There is no me without you Han." Caleb says. Hanna smiles and closes her eyes.
"You sound like me." Hanna says before falling asleep again. Caleb kisses the back of her head before his eyes close and sleep takes him.
Hanna looks at the calendar in her loft. For two weeks her relationship with Caleb had almost been good, even though they hadn't had sex. The problem. Miranda told Hanna, in no uncertain terms, that Caleb is going to make a life with her. Speaking of Miranda, Hanna and her just had a "talk" a few hours before; and Miranda informed Hanna that she was starting her and Caleb's wedding plans. Miranda also decided to mention that Claudia was helping her. The buzzer goes off and Hanna looks at the screen. Caleb Rivers. The same man that said Miranda isn't stupid was proven wrong and is continuously being proven wrong. Hanna buzzes him in as her cellphone rings. Jordan. Hanna sighs before answering the phone. Not because Jordan was calling but because of Miranda's adamancy on her nonexistent relationship with Caleb. Hanna didn't mind talking to Jordan but she also didn't make it a habit.
"Hey Jordan"
"Hello Love. You told me to call and set up your next visit to California. Can you do that now?" Jordan asks. Caleb enters, takes off his shoes, puts the food on the counter and kisses Hanna before walking upstairs.
"Yes I can. How about four weeks from today." Hanna says as she looks at the calendar and flips to the date. That brings them to April 19th.
"That's perfect Hanna. How many days will you need to rework me and Elizabeth's closets?"
"About four days."
"Lovely. See you in a month love. Take care of yourself."
"I will Jordan and you do the same." Hanna says as she marks the dates on her calendar. Hanna puts her cell down and puts the edge of the pen in her mouth. Her and the girls planned to go on a trip a week after that. Thankfully it was just a weekend trip without significant others. The only person that was still undecided about going was Ali and none of the girls were going to ask her more than twice. Hanna pours herself a glass of wine before her cell rings again. This time it was Miranda. Hanna rolled her eyes and couldn't wait to tell Caleb about the wedding that he didn't realize was being planned as he showered in Hanna's bathroom.
Caleb came downstairs in flannel pajama bottoms and nothing else. He looked at Hanna as she sat on the couch and realized something was up. Caleb shared out their food, handed Hanna a plate, grabbed a beer and sat beside her with his plate.
"What's wrong" Caleb asks.
"Miranda is planning your wedding." Hanna says as she watches the beer that just left Caleb's mouth hit her floor away from the food. "What was that about Miranda not being stupid? By the way Claudia is helping her plan the wedding. So maybe you keeping information to yourself doesn't make sense when your mom actually likes your fiancé." Hanna says as she gets up and walks into the kitchen to clean up the only mess of Caleb's she could clean.
Hanna puts her wine glass down on the counter and returns to her living room to clean up the spilled beer. Caleb watched Hanna clean even though his fury was uncharted.
"How did you find out about this." Caleb asks as he stands and walks upstairs to get his cell phone.
"Oh I realize I never told you. Miranda has been stopping by the boutique Caleb and every time she stops by she tells me that you two are together and she didn't take me for a homewrecker." Hanna says as she looks at Caleb who was looking down from her bedroom.
"You can't be serious."
"As a fucking heart attack baby." Hanna says as she returns the rag to the kitchen, washes her hands and starts eating. Caleb walks downstairs with his phone to his ear and waits for Claudia to pick up.
Claudia lifts her head to look at her cellphone. This massage she was having was magnificent but nothing trumped her son's call.
"Hello sweetheart" Claudia says as she answers.
"I need you to explain a few things to me starting with why you are helping Miranda plan a wedding." Claudia signals for the masseuse to stop before sitting up.
"Because you plan on marrying her Caleb."
"No, Claudia, that is one thing I have no intention of doing. I told you I would hear her out and I did that but my feelings for her have not changed."
"Son, don't you feel like you are making too rash of a decision?"
"Claudia, too rash of a decision was listening to you tell me to meet her for dinner. Too rash of a decision was having sex with her knowing my heart never belonged to her in the first place."
"Why do you keep calling me Claudia Caleb. I thought we had gotten past that." Claudia says as her son goes quiet.
"Because no mother would ever plan their child's wedding without that said child's permission. A mother also wouldn't want their child to be with a woman who started a relationship with him for a job. Fix it Claudia or our relationship is over." Caleb says before hanging up. Claudia covers her mouth as she looks at her phone, tears coming to her eyes. She realized the mistake she made and what that mistake could cost her. Claudia liked Miranda. She saw so much of herself in the young woman but obviously Miranda wasn't the right choice for her son. Claudia calls Miranda.
"Hello"
"The wedding is off Miranda. No matter how much I like you, and know whatever happened between you and Caleb was a mistake, I will not lose my son to my wants."
"Claudia, you promised you would have my back."
"I know Miranda but I have worked too hard on a relationship with my son and I cannot lose that relationship, not even for you. I'm sorry my dear. I wish you all the success in your endeavors but make sure Caleb is not one of them." Claudia says as she hangs up the phone. Claudia signals for the masseuse who returns. Claudia realizes as her massage begins again but she can't shake the feeling that her interference in Caleb's life put a strain on their relationship.
"Damn it" Claudia says sadly.
Miranda screamed into her pillow in a short fit of rage. She threw the vase next and watched it break against the wall. Miranda knew she had to call Tristan but wasn't looking forward to that call. She was tired of calling Tristan. She was tired of everything except winning Caleb back. If she couldn't have him no one else could and that definitely meant Hanna Marin.
Tristan looked at his cellphone and smirked. He was amused that Miranda thought it would be that easy.
"Stupid woman." Tristan said as he poured himself a drink.
"Who are you talking about?" Tristan smiled at her.
"A business associate of mine love, no one else." Tristan says. She smiles, kisses Tristan and then looks at her rings. "Still infatuated with them?" Tristan asks as he looks at his left hand.
"Not as much as I am with you and I can't wait to tell them. Can you imagine the shock on their faces?" She says as Tristan hugs her waist and her arms wrap around his neck.
"Yes, I most certainly can, now we've had a busy day love and I'm knackered." Tristan says. She smiles as she backs out of his embrace. She unties the lace closure of her robe and feels the material slide down her arms.
"Not too tired I hope." Tristan looks over her frame and a slow smile spreads on his lips.
"No love, never too tired for you." Tristan says as he picks her up and walks to the master bedroom.
After their dinner Hanna watched Caleb pace in her living room. He did this when he was frustrated. The screaming started a little while ago and it amplified as he spoke to Miranda. He threw his phone and it almost hit the ground but Hanna made sure to throw a pillow under it so it wouldn't shatter. iPhones are very sensitive and Caleb has gone through three already. He was talking to Toby now and Toby being Toby wasn't making Caleb feel better about sleeping with Miranda. Hanna shook her head as Caleb's grip tightened on the phone before he asked to talk to Spencer. Hanna got up and took the phone from Caleb.
"Spence, he'll call you back."
"Thank God because I was getting tired of him screaming at Toby." Spencer says before ending the call. Hanna smirks before putting Caleb's phone on the counter. Hanna pushes Caleb to sit on the couch and then she straddles his lap. She holds his neck lightly between her hands as she looks at him.
"You slept with her Caleb. It happened. Now she doesn't want to give you up and she won't give you up least of all to me. Your mom loves her so you can't be too mad at her for wanting you to spend your life with someone she likes. However, I need you to realize that me and Claudia will never get along so after this conversation never force it." Hanna says. Caleb's arms hug Hanna drawing her closer and making her arch into him.
"What about Miranda?" Caleb says as Hanna bites her lip at, not only the way he was looking at her, but his close proximity.
"You were mine way before you two had a thing. I'm not letting you go and I will cause her physical harm if necessary."
"The princess doesn't mind messing up her manicure to fight to the death for me." Caleb says.
"You're extremely dramatic Caleb but who knows what I'll do to keep you." Hanna says seductively before their lips touch