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Chapter 11

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The message had been written on the glass plate with a bright red lipstick in typical A. style.

"It's happening again." Caleb panicked, yelling, "No! No! No!"

Hanna, however, just sat there in their tent, motionless. Her gaze traveled across the room, watching Caleb's every move. "You stay right where you are, I'll check the rest of the house," he instructed.

Before she could say something to calm him down, he was out of the room, searching the entire house for further evidence of an unwanted visitor.

Hearing him stomp up the stairs to the second floor, she finally got up and dashed to the mirror. There, she lifted the plate and removed a wet wipe that had been wedged in behind it.

With trembling hands, she wiped off the lipstick – and wrote down something new, using the exact same lipstick after pulling it out of the pocket of her jacket. Then, she stepped back from the wall to check the result before she quickly resumed her assigned position under the roof of curtains to wait for Caleb to return, trying hard to stifle a laugh.

"I checked all the rooms and the attic upstairs and I checked the utility room and the kitchen down here," he called out to her from the hallway, breathing heavily from running the stairs up and down in a frenzy. "There's no-one in the house but us."

He came back into the living room and stopped with his hands to his hips, thinking of ways to cope with the situation. "I'm going to call the cops. Not going to sit this one out! Not ever again!" he said as soon as his breath had calmed down significantly.

"Caleb?" Hanna tried carefully, but her attempt to distract him failed when she saw him lower himself down to retrieve his cell phone from his jacket that was lying on the floor next to their makeshift camp site.

"Caleb?" she tried again.

He looked up at her, frowning. "Don't worry, honey! This time, we're going to nip things in the bud."

Hanna scrambled to get back onto her feet that felt like giving way beneath her. "Hey!" she grabbed his phone and tossed it onto the sleeping bags. She needed to clear up the situation now before the police came and put an end to their romantic sleepover.

"What are you-?" Caleb started, but then he felt her place her fingertips on the side of his head. "Sorry, no telepathy is coming through."

"Ha ha, funny," she said with a serious expression on her face, and then moved his head gently to his left, directing his gaze back to the mirror. "What do you see?"

Caleb looked at it with a terrified expression in his face upon realizing that someone had replaced the first message with a new one. He squinted his eyes, trying to decipher the new words.

"SOMETIMES 1 + 1 AIN'T 2!"

He stared at the cryptic message for a long moment, trying to process its meaning. Eventually, he turned around and gaped at Hanna, who was looking at him full of anticipation with her brows furrowed and a small smile playing at her lips.

The room fell completely silent. Caleb kept looking at Hanna with a lack of understanding. Suddenly, there was a thud on the floor beneath their feet, prompting them both to look down.

Caleb bent over and picked up the oblong white stick that had slipped from the pocket of Hanna's jacket. He turned it over, and finally the realization hit him.

"You're pregnant?" he whispered, baffled.

Hanna simply nodded, and her vague smile lingered, waiting for a sign of joy on his side.

His gaze traveled back and forth between the pregnancy test, Hanna's face and her stomach. "We're having a baby?" he asked again with disbelief as the situation seemed to overwhelm him.

"Uh-huh," she muttered, unable to speak as her lips quivered. Through a veil of tears, she saw his face slowly break into a smile.

"Hanna! Baby!" catching his breath, Caleb brought his hands up to cup her cheeks and pressed his lips to hers, kissing her once, twice. "Do you have any idea…" Another kiss landed on the tip of her nose before he continued, "…have any idea how… how… happy this makes me?" He kissed her lips again and then let his forehead rest against hers while his thumbs wiped away her tears.

"Really?" she whispered as she brought her arms up to embrace him, slightly feeling her head move as he nodded in reaction.

"It's not too soon for you? I mean we just recently started thinking about it," she assured herself, again feeling rather than seeing him shake his head softly.

Caleb's hands slid down her back, and then, in a quick move he picked her up and spun them both around.

"But… How? When?" Caleb asked, bringing them to a stop. He joined hands with her and slowly walked them over to the small impromptu campsite that Hanna had built for them. "Well, I know how… What I meant was…," he babbled as he sat them down. "How was that possible? You've been on the pill all this time, haven't you?"

"For all I know it happened while we were in Aruba after I'd had that horrible stomach bug, and apparently, during that time the effectiveness of my pill was suspended," Hanna recited what she had read about it in the morning when she couldn't quite yet believe it herself.

Caleb couldn't stop the laughter that erupted. "Are you aware that we may have made a baby at Baby Beach?"

"Wait, what?" Hanna was confused.

"The beach where it happened… It's called Baby Beach," he explained quickly. As Hanna joined him, the sound of their voices bounced off the walls of the empty living room.

After their laughter had subsided, Caleb reached behind him, grabbing one of the coffee cups that were standing on the floor. "Guess we better switch to these, huh?"

Hanna recognized the cup and took it from him. "Short, triple-caf, one sugar cube, no milk, no whip, no cream," she commented on the beverage inside of it, prompting Caleb to shoot her an acknowledging look. "You're not the only one who has the coffee orders down pat. Though, I guess yours is cold now."

"Iced coffee. My favorite!" Caleb joked.

Hanna turned the cup around for him to see the name that the barista had jotted down on it.

Caleb started laughing again and took the cup from her. "Hot Daddy?"

Without missing a beat, she reached for the other cup and took a sip from her tea, thereby revealing the scribble on the cardboard to him.

"Sexy Momma!" he read out loud, adding approvingly, "Oh, yeah. That's what (who?) you are!"

"Yeah? You like what you're seeing?" Hanna set her cup down and looked at him, smug. He leaned over to kiss her, answering, "Always!" before their mouths connected.

Hanna pulled back and unzipped her jacket. The graphic t-shirt she was wearing underneath came into view, reading "Does this shirt make me look pregnant?" on its front.

"Wow! You really went all out tonight, huh?" Caleb commented with a grin on his face.

"I went a little crazy this morning planning this whole thing," she explained, appending, "I didn't mean to freak you out with that lipstick charade."

His smile subsided, and for lack of something insightful to say to her, he simply brought the cup to his mouth and sipped his cold coffee, curious to hear her explanation. He was still a little shaken, unable to tell whether it was due to the momentary feeling of horror after finding that message on the mirror or the news about him becoming a father for the first time.

"I just felt like I needed to replace all the bad memories of A. or A.D.'s anonymous messages with something that's positive. I mean it's just like you said, this is all about starting over," she argued. "And I want you to know… I'm not ever letting A. or A.D. or whichever letter of the alphabet they choose to call themselves demean me… or… us anymore."

She looked Caleb in the eyes, and he knew that she truly meant it. He wanted to weigh in and show his support by convincing her that he would always be there to protect her and to protect their children, but Hanna calmly continued to speak, "I'm finally over it, Caleb. I am… I haven't had any nightmares in a while now... I stopped going to therapy…. And this morning, I noticed that my emergency package of Zoloft had expired. And so I just… threw it out. I wouldn't be allowed to take them anyway during the pregnancy. Nevertheless… I haven't needed any medication ever since you're back with me… I know this sounds crazy but… You've fixed up my life… You always have."

"And I will never stop trying." He set the cup down in a safe spot. "Because I'll always be grateful for you fixing up my life first." As he lowered himself, settling down on the sleeping bag, he brought his hand up to her face. He kept looking her in the eyes, conveying his love for her.

Hanna's head dipped down and she pressed her lips to his. She felt his hand move to the back of her head as his mouth opened and his tongue swept through her mouth. She closed her eyes and let him work his magic over her.

Once she got her breath back, she turned her head to the side, facing away from him. "You taste like coffee."

"I've been wondering why you suddenly converted from black coffee to green tea." He laughed in reaction. "But there's something we can do about that." He raised himself and ran out of the room.

"Hey, where are you going?" Hanna called out to him, looking confused.

"Uh, babe? Didn't you say you ordered pizza?" Caleb's voice came calling from the kitchen.

"I did." Hanna yelled back while emptying out the champagne in her glass into Caleb's and replacing it by water.

"Then what is this?" he said when he was suddenly back at the doorframe, looking appalled and holding out a plate for her with a small round piece of dough on it.

"It's baby pizza," she explained matter-of-factly.

All across the room, Caleb stared at her, incredulous. "Baby, I'm starved."

"It's okay. You can have mine, too. But save up some room because there's going to be dessert."

"Okay, I'm sensing a theme here. It's not baby food, is it?" he came walking back to their spot on the floor.

"No," she said, laughing.

That seemed to conciliate him as he took a bite off his pizza. "Mmmm... mmmm... this is actually pretty good," he said with his mouth full, indulging in the savory taste of peperoni... and…

"Anchovies?"

"It sounded like a really great combination when I ordered the pizza online. And besides, they look like little baby fish so I figured I have to order some to go with the theme here."

"Of course, you did." Turning his head to the side a little, Caleb shot her a doubtful look. "So... just so that I can get this straight here... You can't stand the smell of coffee, but you think tiny salted little fish are okay?"

Hanna sat there, shrugging. That was all new to her and she felt overwhelmed herself with getting to know her body anew during the pregnancy. She leaned over to Caleb and simply bit off a large chunk of the pizza.

"Okay, memo received." Caleb chuckled. "You know, I've heard some funny stuff from William about my mom's pregnancy, but he didn't mention anything about those crazy cravings setting in immediately. Guess I should consult him more often now that we have something in common.

He let Hanna take a few more bites, and within shortly, they had both finished the whole, albeit small, pizza in silence.

Shoving the empty plate to the side, Caleb scooted over to Hanna before laying down on the sleeping bag with her. Sighing contently, he pulled her tighter against him.

"So... Are you ready for dessert?" she asked quietly.

"So so ready!" he told her, a mischievous expression creeping up his face. Everything she needed to know was said in that exchange. And every thought about what was currently waiting for them in an ice box by the window was suddenly erased from her mind. Their lips met in a sweet, tender kiss.

"Alright," she sighed softly. Her hand came up to his face for another round of smoldering kisses. "Do you want some whipped cream to go along with that? Because I have some!" she joked in between.

"No, I'm good." He moved down her body and pulled up her shirt, showering her with little wet kisses along the way down to her navel. There, he hesitated. "Um. Han? Is it okay to do this? I mean… does it hurt you or the baby if we…." He trailed off, a fearful look in his eyes. He didn't want to take any risks, even if it would have killed him right there and then.

"It's perfectly safe," she told him as the heat in her body rose. "Don't worry."

"Oh, good," he hissed before he started licking her bellybutton and quickly tore at her pants, getting increasingly frustrated when the material wouldn't come off as quickly as he had desired.

Hanna helped him remove her pants, ridding herself of her t-shirt and hoodie in the process. She felt the silkiness of the sleeping bag against her naked back. His weight pressed her down onto the sleeping bag, and she realized at that moment that she hadn't remembered to bring a camping mat to the house. But the awareness of the rigid floor beneath her was consigned to oblivion as soon as Caleb's mouth had latched onto hers in a kiss that seemed to reach to her soul, and his tongue was sweeping through her mouth, and her breath was being stolen away.

The passion flared up between them, and neither of them could wait. Caleb groaned into the kiss, his hands moving over Hanna's body, touching her everywhere, searching out her most sensitive areas.

In a heartbeat, Caleb's clothes came off, prompting them both to groan loudly when their bodies touched each other skin to skin.

Hanna writhed sensually under him, her movements serving to stoke the fire that was burning in and through both of them. Her moans changed in pitch and tone, shifting to soft mewling sounds that drove Caleb crazy with desire.

She watched through half-closed lids as his hand reached out, gently, tentatively and closed over her breast. She moaned as his palm rubbed against her sensitive nipple and his fingers rubbed and fondled her soft malleable flesh. She continued to watch as Caleb bent his head and closed his mouth over her breast. She moaned once more, her eyes closing completely as his tongue lapped over her nipple, stoking the fires within her.

Her hands sought out and found his hardness, clasping and stroking it at almost the same moment that his hand caressed and stroked her moist center.

Hanna opened her eyes and found her passion mirrored in the darkness and warmth of Caleb's gaze. Keeping her eyes on him, she guided him to her entrance, gently pressing her hips upward, his tip entering her. Caleb gasped at the heat he felt when he entered her more fully, holding his breath until he was entirely sheathed inside Hanna.

"Mmm… that's… good…" Hanna murmured, enjoying the feel of Caleb inside her, filling her completely, body and soul.

"Oh good… god…" Caleb groaned as she clenched her muscles around him, his hips thrusting against her in response.

Hanna wrapped her legs around his waist and clenched again, pulling Caleb even deeper into her. "Ahh… yes …"

At her moan, Caleb withdrew and plunged quickly back before repeating his motions. Hanna's moan continued as he repeatedly thrust his hips, driving her closer and closer to her climax. Her hands clawed at his back in her attempts to pull him closer to her. "More…" she begged.

Caleb knew what Hanna wanted. He withdrew from her completely, his hand quickly moving to caress her, keeping her excited and on the edge. He placed her legs on his shoulders and in one quick movement, entered her once again.

She closed her eyes tightly, holding on to Caleb as she felt her world slipping away into a pool of overwhelming sensations and feelings. He continued to thrust his hips, driving himself into her over and over again, the need building in her until she felt her legs stiffening. Arching her back, she peaked, her nails digging into his flesh.

It was too much. Too intense. Too incredible. Too wonderful. She heard Caleb's grunt and groan as he climaxed, his thrusts now harder.

Hanna took in a deep breath and let it out shakily as she felt the final tremors of her orgasm go through her. With a final clench of her muscles, she sighed and carefully eased her legs off Caleb's shoulders. He gritted his teeth and groaned one last time before he collapsed on top of her.

After a while, he carefully withdrew from her. He lay alongside Hanna, his arm draped over her, keeping her warm within his embrace. Nuzzling at her neck, he felt and heard her heart beat and breathing slowly returning to normal. His hand gently caressed her, soothing her, calming her.

They sighed at the same moment, softly chuckling. Hanna stroked Caleb's hair. "It's amazing how in synch we are…"

"Mmm…" was all he managed to say before a yawn slipped from his mouth. "Sorry. I guess tonight's turn of events just wore me out."

Hanna smiled at the teasing tone in Caleb's voice. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Caleb chuckled, the sound warming Hanna's heart. He raised his head and looked intently into her eyes letting his love show through. "Hey, what was it people say about pregnant women? That they've got that glow going on?"

"Yeah, I heard that too," Hanna concurred. "Though, I don't think I've seen it on Alison."

"That's sort of a given, considering the circumstances," he countered. "But I can see it on your face."

"Oh shut up," Hanna said in mock defense, pushing him softly away.

"No, no, no. You're glowing and it makes you even more beautiful," Caleb insisted.

"Candlelight will do that to everybody's face. As will good sex, by the way," she quickly said, her hands playing with the hairs on his chest.

"Now that I think about it, you've been glowing with blissfulness ever since we decided to have a baby in the first place."

"Well, maybe it's because I was already pregnant at that point. I just didn't know it then." They both fell silent for a moment, each reminiscing about that conversation which hadn't been very long ago.

"I still can't believe all of this," Hanna eventually whispered.

"And I still can't believe you wrote that message on the mirror." Caleb laughed, his eyes fixating on the naked light bulb dangling from the ceiling above them in the dark while his hand played with Hanna's hair. "I mean it's not like there weren't enough other options here."

She laughed with him. "It was kind of an afterthought… my hands were so clammy this entire time, I was afraid I'd wipe off the names on the cups or spill coffee all over my shirt."

"You know what? It's original. We should totally keep it… as a memento or something," he relented. "Although… You could have just given me that test stick wrapped up with a nice ribbon and I could have kept that in a more unobtrusive way," he continued bantering.

"Next time, I'll try to think of that," she quipped back at him.

"Next time? Whoa!" Caleb turned his face back around and brought it down to her abdomen. "Did you hear that? You're not even born yet and your mom is already thinking of getting you a sibling," he spoke against her skin.

Hanna started laughing and laid down flat on her back, prompting Caleb to rest his head on her stomach. He heard a growling noise coming from close to his ear. "What's that, Mrs. Insatiable? Sounds like that baby pizza wasn't enough for you." Caleb let out a guffaw. "Now how about some whipped cream à la Caleb?"

"Spray cheese," Hanna said bluntly.

"What?" Caleb's head came shooting up from her midsection, and he furrowed his brows, thinking he must have misheard.

"There's spray cheese in the picnic basket, and I want it. Now." She looked at him intently.

"Are you serious?" When he saw her shrug he scrambled to get up. Hanna gently held him back by his arm. "I was just kidding. I'm not that gross!"

"Oh good," he breathed out, happy to lay down on her belly again.

"But I'm totally down for another dessert," she winked at him.

He didn't need to be told twice.

They both burst out laughing, and Caleb proceeded to close the zipper of the sleeping bag over them.

to be continued…


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