Hello lovelies! I hope you enjoy this chapter and thanks, as always, for the reviews. Happy reading.
Caleb and Toby drank a beer before Toby called it a night. He had to go to work tomorrow which then left Caleb alone in his apartment. Caleb looked at his bed and groaned before laying on it. One place he hadn't had sex with Hanna yet was his apartment. He needed to rectify that situation as soon as possible. Actually no, he wanted to take Hanna in the house he bought for them. Caleb hears a knock on his front door. He gets up, walks to the front door and looks out the peephole.
"What the hell." Caleb says as he opens the door. "What are you doing here Miranda?" Caleb asks, blocking her entry into his apartment.
"I came to see you." Miranda says. Caleb's eyes narrow.
"Why are you here Miranda." Caleb asks again. Miranda sighs.
"I miss you Caleb . . . I miss us." Miranda says.
"There was no us in the first place Miranda. I was a job for you. Now, your job is over so find someone else's life to ruin." Caleb says as he begins closing the door.
"Caleb . . . wait." Miranda says. Caleb looks at Miranda's hand before he opens the door wider.
"I just want to say I'm sorry for using you and I'm sorry for thinking we were back when we weren't but I want something from you." Miranda says. Caleb looks down at her with his eyes narrowed.
"What do you want Miranda." Caleb asks.
"I want you to tell me why Hanna means so much to you. What is it about Hanna that makes you want to be with her? I want to understand the connection between you two." Miranda says. She would leave Caleb alone but she wanted to know . . . no she needed to know about him and Hanna. Yes, Miranda was aware that Caleb proposed to her and would have married her if Hanna didn't show up. The problem Miranda was having was the thought that she wasn't enough for Caleb. He truly loved Hanna and wanted no part of her now that Hanna was back. Miranda just wanted to know why and maybe if she knew she would be able to leave him alone in regard to a romantic relationship. Miranda had to have some form of relationship with Caleb because she really did miss him but she would elegantly bow out from any romantic interests that weren't reciprocated. Caleb looks at Miranda before opening the door wider and letting her in. If she wanted to know he would oblige her with that information.
Miranda looks at Caleb's closed door before she walked away.
"He really loves her and what a bitch I have been to her for the last few weeks." Miranda says to herself as she walks downstairs and then out of the building. She looks at the black limo parked at the entrance. She ignores it and walks to her car. The limo starts following her and Miranda can feel her knuckles turn white before stuffing her fists into her pocket. Miranda reaches her car, takes her keys out of her pocket and tries to get in before her arm is grasped tightly.
"Miranda . . . I didn't take you for a runner." Tristan says. Miranda pulls her arm from his grasp before she looks at him.
"What can I do for you, boss." Miranda says trying to keep her tone uncaring.
"What were you talking to Rivers about." Tristan asks.
"His relationship with Hanna." Miranda says. She didn't have to lie. That is exactly what they talked about.
"And the chance of Hanna leaving him?" Tristan asks. Miranda's eyes narrow.
"No chance of either of them leaving each other. It's obvious he loves her and I have no doubt that Hanna loves him. She's been dealing with my shit for weeks. Why don't you find someone else to torment and leave them alone to be happy?" Miranda says as her eyes open to the hold Tristan had on her neck. Tristan brings his head close to Miranda's.
"I don't pay you to tell me what to do Miss Collins. I pay you to give me information. Now I let you off the hook with getting close to Jason but don't get too big for your heels love. You have no idea what I can do and what I can get away with. I expect you back in California by the end of this week. I don't need you in Philadelphia any longer." Tristan says as he releases her neck and Miranda begins coughing and bringing in gusts of air. Miranda wiped under her eyes and sees her running black mascara on her somewhat tanned skin. She watches Tristan get in the limo and watches the limo drive off. If Tristan wanted Miranda back in California she would go but she would help Caleb. She loved him and owed him that much.
Hanna watches Spencer as she tidies up the boutique. They definitely drank a lot last night but Spencer got up first and made coffee. One thing about coffee that Spencer Hastings makes is that it has you going for the entire day . . . and Hanna was still shaking from the immense amount of caffeine even now. Hanna looks at the time. They were about to close and Spencer hadn't stopped cleaning.
"Spence will you chill out." Hanna says amused. Spencer looks at Hanna before walking into the back room. "Great now she is about to change everything back there to fit the neatness that makes up Spencer Hastings." Hanna says. The door dings and Hanna looks at Miranda.
"Hey" Miranda says.
"Hi" Hanna responds. She honestly didn't know what to say to Miranda. For the past weeks Miranda had called Hanna every name in the book while continuing to buy merchandise. Miranda purposely made Hanna help her and caused scenes until Hanna helped her find what she was looking for. It was a rough couple of weeks.
"I'm sorry for how I have been treating you. I love him and hoped if I continued to be nasty you would let him go. You haven't and after talking to Caleb I get it. He only sees you Hanna and I can't compete with that. So, before I move back to California I would like to buy a few more pieces, hire you as my stylist and ask if we can start over again." Miranda says as she looks at Hanna. Hanna looks at Miranda before she smiles and grabs her hand.
"Let's look around." Hanna says as she begins helping her last customer of the day.
Caleb looked at his mother as they sat at dinner. When it is just Caleb and Claudia he understood why she loved Miranda. Miranda was literally a mini version of Claudia. Especially now that Miranda was wearing clothes that she was used to wearing, Miranda could be Claudia's daughter.
"So son, any new prospects?" Claudia asks as their food arrives. Caleb thinks about Hanna and he wonders if she should tell Claudia about them. He decides to tell Claudia after he talks to Hanna.
"Not yet mom, you will be the first to know when I do." Caleb says the lie leaving his mouth easily before he begins eating. Caleb never told Claudia anything right away. Jamie was different. Jamie was more level headed. Claudia smiles. Before looking over her shoulder.
"Glad to hear it son. I would like to introduce you to someone." Claudia says as she signals the brunette towards her. Caleb looks up to see a woman start walking towards them. He sits back and looks at his mother as the brunette stands by the table. "Caleb I would like you to meet Natalie. Natalie, this is my son Caleb." Claudia says. Natalie smiles and was happy to see the man in front of her. She was nervous about coming here with Claudia but now she was happy she did. Caleb stands and puts his hand out for Natalie to take. They shake hands before Caleb pulls out a chair for Natalie. She sits and inhales briefly.
"You smell really nice. What cologne do you wear?" Natalie asks Caleb.
"I'm honestly not sure an old girlfriend of mine bought it for me a long time ago and that is the only thing I wear." Caleb says as he thinks of Hanna.
"She has really good taste." Natalie says as she smiles and appraises Caleb.
"That she does." Caleb says as he looks away from Natalie and at his mother.
"Now Caleb, with all the cologne I have bought you why do you still wear what that girl gave you? I swore Miss Marin was a thing of the past and now I'm finding out that she has always been a part of the here and now." Claudia says annoyed. Caleb sits back again biting his lips before he looks at Natalie.
"Natalie, I don't mean to be rude and if I am I apologize but what exactly did my mother tell you." Caleb asks. Natalie looks at Caleb and for a moment her mouth goes dry. Ok she had to admit that Caleb was very attractive. So attractive that Natalie felt like a girl instead of the 24-year-old woman she was. Natalie clears her throat.
"Claudia told me that you had just gotten out of a long engagement and you're looking for someone new. I just happened to get out of a long relationship myself so when she suggested this trip I was a bit apprehensive but didn't mind the possibility of meeting someone new." Natalie says. Caleb nods at Natalie before looking at Claudia.
"And if I had told you I found someone Claudia?" Caleb says.
"I would have still introduced you to Natalie Caleb and then you could decide between who you are with versus the beautiful young woman that sits beside us." Claudia says as she looks at her son while continuing to eat.
"Why are you meddling in my life Claudia." Caleb says as Claudia looks at him.
"I'm not meddling I am insuring that my son is with a great woman and that woman is Natalie." Claudia says.
"And if Hanna . . ." Claudia puts her utensils down before narrowing her eyes at Caleb.
"Do not mention Miss Marin to me Caleb. She wasn't good for you from the beginning." Claudia says.
"Really and why is that." Caleb asks as he looks at Claudia. Now he understood Hanna's problem with his mother. He honestly didn't know her dislike for Hanna went so deep.
"She is from divorced parents." Claudia says.
"I'm a product of two people who were never married." Caleb says.
"Yes but I actually loved Jamie and Jamie loved me. That is still debatable between Ashley and Tom." Claudia says rudely.
"Why is Ashley and Tom Hanna's problem? She is nothing like Tom."
"Everyone has a bit of their parent's in them Caleb and I don't think she is too different from Tom." Claudia says.
"Meaning"
"Meaning when you moved to California for that short time how fast did she find a new boyfriend? How fast did she have sex with that boyfriend? When you went back to Philadelphia how fast did she cheat on her boyfriend with you?" Claudia says. Caleb smirks.
"So your dislike for Hanna stems from the fact that she moved on, since I never told her I was coming back, and that she chose to be with me immediately instead of breaking up with her boyfriend first?" Caleb says. Claudia looks at him.
"That's not all." Claudia says.
"Go on, Natalie and I are both waiting." Caleb says. Natalie hadn't stopped listening to the conversation since it started and one thing she realized is that Caleb still loved whoever the Hanna person is. Natalie also realized that Claudia was a snob just like her mother. The reason she was giving for not liking Hanna were superficial at best. Natalie had to also admit that if she was with Caleb and it came to Caleb and someone else she would probably pick Caleb too.
"She's not good enough Caleb. She doesn't have any familial ties to anyone, like Spencer and Miranda did. Ashley isn't the best example for anyone to follow considering she is still in debt with creditors, she's been to prison and her family history is atrocious. Her father is a cheater who married his mistress and is probably still cheating on his new wife. Can we also not forget that he obviously didn't think his daughter's education was worth the expense while you had to work ten times as hard to pay her way through school. What that tells me is she is always looking for someone to spend money on her instead of working hard to get what she wants. Hanna probably won't amount to anything and the best thing you could have ever done was leave her to fend for herself." Claudia says as she looks at Caleb and then Natalie.
Natalie didn't say a word and had no intention of saying anything. Natalie didn't believe Claudia was right. Natalie was just disappointed that someone she admired was no different than her mother who she despised. Caleb looked at Claudia for a long time and as the silverware around them clanked Caleb realized this will be the last time he saw Claudia for a while. Caleb looks at Natalie.
"I'm sorry Natalie that you came all this way for nothing considering that I am in love with, am seeing and will marry the woman she was just talking about, in the near future. But what Hanna deserves right at this moment is her name to be unsullied by me to you, a stranger, who has never met her." Caleb says as Claudia throws her napkin on the table.
"I will not stand for you being with her Caleb. . ." Caleb raises his hand which instantly quiets Claudia.
"I was never as attracted to Miranda and even Spence as I am to Hanna. In my eyes no one compares not even Natalie who sits beside me. You are beautiful Natalie but you aren't Hanna." Caleb says making Natalie blush at the compliment and then smile at his love for Hanna.
"You're right mom. Hanna doesn't have familial ties to anyone but neither do I. In the whole scheme of things, mom, I'm a bastard born to a drug addict and a man who was in and out of prison. You put me in the foster care system where I was abused emotionally and physically for years before you remade yourself and found me. Hanna and Ashley found me before you and brought me in for me to have a home; and, because the streets raised me I fucked that up to get money. It took Hanna months to forgive me for spying on her. It took Hanna months to look at me the same way she looked at me when we first started dating. Ashley who worked hard to have everything and protect her daughter didn't come from the best upbringing. Her father abused her and when she was old enough and had enough money she found her way out of a bad situation and worked her way up. Because of how she was raised she took pity on me and helped me get her daughter back since one thing you two should know about Hanna is how stubborn she is." Caleb says. Natalie looks at him and couldn't look away if she tried. Natalie was pretty sure she even shed a tear or two as he spoke.
"Ashley did go to prison for killing a man who faked his death and framed her. Lucky for Ashley she raised Hanna who wouldn't rest until that man was found and her mom was out of prison. Tom Marin is an asshole and has always been an asshole who Hanna despises. You're also right again mom, Tom didn't believe in his daughter to spend money on her dreams but I did. So yes I paid her way through school and I would pay her way through school again. She busted her ass while she was at FIT so much so that our relationship became rocky because of it. Hanna didn't ask me to pay I chose to because I love her. Now, Hanna is a stylist for Spencer, some clients in New York, Philadelphia and even California including Jordan Harris and Elizabeth Thompson. Those two I'm pretty sure you know considering they were in the Forbes magazine at your house. Hanna owns her own fashion boutique, paid off her mother's house, and remodeled a loft that she owns in the city. So if you compare your situation with Hanna's mom who do you think looked for someone to spend money on her and who do you think is truly independent? Considering that all Hanna has accomplished was without me." Caleb says. Caleb stands and takes Natalie's hand.
"It was nice meeting you Natalie and I hope you find the man you deserve. That man just isn't me. Now if you women will excuse me I will pay the bill and be on my way. Claudia don't call or text or show up. When I am ready to talk to you I will and not a moment sooner." Caleb says. Caleb walks to his waitress and asks to pay the bill with her before he does just that and leaves. Claudia sits there for a moment in silence not knowing what to say or do.
"Am I wrong for wanting the best for my son?" Claudia asks rhetorically. Natalie answers her anyway.
"No but the best for Caleb is not what you want for him it's what he wants for himself. He has dated women with money and they don't interest him. Pushing me onto Caleb would not make him want me more and the way he talks about Hanna tells me she saved him from a bad time in his life. Even your reasons for not liking Hanna were superficial and snobbish as though good people aren't born to horrible people." Natalie says. Claudia rests her elbows on the table and her chin on her fist.
"So what you're saying my dear is that I am wrong." Claudia says. Natalie looks at her straight.
"You were very wrong and you just strained a relationship that wasn't solid in the first place. Caleb may have forgiven you but the scars you left run deep. All you succeeded in doing was opening up each scar that, it seems, Hanna sealed." Natalie says. Natalie orders something to eat for herself while Claudia sits there in silence.
Hanna hears the buzzer go off. She dries off and quickly puts on a t-shirt before she walks downstairs. She looks at the monitor.
"Caleb? Shouldn't he be with Claudia." Hanna asks before buzzing him in. Hanna watches him enter both doors before he moves out of sight. Hanna hears the elevator start up and then he appears. Caleb lifts the doors and looks at Hanna
"I thought you were spending time with Claudia?" Anything else Hanna had to say was cut off by Caleb's lips on hers. Hanna's eyes close as Caleb quickly takes off his jacket and shirt; his lips parting from Hanna's only briefly. Caleb hugs Hanna closely and grabs her butt before lifting her so the spots he needed to make Hanna lose control were closer. Caleb knew Hanna had just taken a shower, her hair was wet and her skin still felt slightly damp. Caleb also knew that Hanna didn't sleep in underwear.
Hanna's legs automatically circled Caleb's waist and cross behind him. Caleb kicks off his boots, stepped on each foot, so each sock could be removed, before pushing Hanna into the wall and claiming her mouth properly. Hanna moves her lips from Caleb's only for her eyes to slightly roll to the back of her head as his finger entered her and started pumping. Caleb's lips remained on Hanna's neck and this time he had every intention of marking her. Hanna knew what Caleb was doing but she couldn't say she minded as she moaned to the suction on her neck and his finger, now fingers, pumping inside her.
Caleb turns so he can ascend the stairs with Hanna still attached him. Caleb had no intention of letting her go not even for a second. Hanna's back hits her mattress right before Caleb begins kissing her again. Something happened between him and Claudia. Hanna knew that but what he was doing felt too good to ask the question. Caleb moves his lips and is aggravated at himself for not stripping in the elevator. Hanna looks at him and laughs.
"You seem to be at an impasse Caleb. Do you need help?" Hanna asks amused. Caleb moves his hand from her hip up her stomach and down back to her pelvis before narrowing his eyes a small smirk playing on his lips.
"If you can help me while I remain touching you in some capacity you go right ahead Han." Caleb says. Hanna runs her hands up his chest to the back of his neck before bringing his head down to hers. Their lips lock and as promised Hanna unbuttons and pushes down Caleb's jeans with her feet. Caleb lifts Hanna's hips, aligns his cock at her entrance and enters her while Hanna gasps. Hanna's head arches back while Caleb continues holding Hanna's hips beginning to thrust into her. His thrusts start quickening and Hanna's moans get louder. Caleb pulls Hanna up, her arms circling his neck, as she moves with him and they moan together. Hanna moves her lips from Caleb's as she bites his shoulder lightly at the feel of him inside her. Caleb lays down filling Hanna to the hilt under him and Hanna's thighs clench on Caleb's waist at the sensations. Caleb made love to Hanna until they were both exhausted and Hanna's pleasure meter broke until she couldn't move. The smile on her face, however, didn't move at the feeling of ultimate satisfaction.
Hanna's eyes open. Caleb's chest rested on her pelvis and stomach while his head rested between her breasts. His arms were still tight around her making Hanna's back arch slightly. Hanna, finding strength in her arms, started running her fingers through his hair while her other arm held onto Caleb. Caleb's eyes open. He could hear Hanna's heart beating under his head as he looked out her window. His feet were off the bed but as much as he would have loved to still be inside Hanna his full weight on her would have crushed her.
"Tell me what happened between you and Claudia." Hanna says as her fingers start massaging Caleb's scalp.
"How do you know I'm awake." Caleb asks.
"You breathe differently when you're awake." Hanna says. Caleb smiles.
"You listen to me breathe Han?" Caleb asks amused as Hanna's fingers still in his hair.
"Sometimes . . . now spill."
"Claudia brought someone with her for me to meet. She was beautiful, brunette, a mix between Miranda and Spencer. Then we talked about you and I realized that you're right. My mom dislikes you and her reasons are baseless. So all Claudia succeeded in doing was losing me." Caleb says.
"You need your mom Caleb." Hanna says as her fingers still in his hair again.
"I was away from her for a good portion of my life Han and I survived. I'm happy that I know her but until she comprehends that she can't keep intervening in my life, where I don't need her intrusion, then our relationship will always be strained." Caleb says.
"Caleb . . ." Hanna says before Caleb interrupts her.
"There is nothing left to talk about in regard to Claudia Han. I'm in love with you Hanna. That means you're it for me and the sooner Claudia realizes that fact the sooner we can be cordial again. Once we are cordial then we can work towards a better relationship. Until then Claudia Dawson will not call, text or visit until I'm ready to see her." Caleb says before he looks at Hanna. "Now we were interrupted yesterday before you could tell me about your sex life with Travis and Jordan. I told you about Miranda and Spencer so now it's your turn." Caleb says as he smirks and Hanna groans.