A/N People have been asking me why there's been no Emily. All I can say is that she hasn't exactly been on my radar as I've been writing. I'm sorry for that, but she's back this chapter! So please forgive me for basically, unintentionally overlooking her. And I can safely say that she will be around a lot more.
- Gotta be something more,
Gotta be more than this.
I need a little less hard time,
I need a little more bliss. -
Leaves crunched under Hanna's feet. Her Steve Madden riding boots clicked along the cobblestone sidewalk as she made her way up Eastworth Drive. Turning onto Clairemont Place, an overwhelming gust of wind chilled her and she stuffed her gloved hands into the pockets of her coat. The gift bag bounced at her side as it hung around her wrist.
Shortly after moving into the house approximately four doors down and across the street from the Fitz residence, Hanna had taken it upon herself to get straight back into the swing of things as far as her friends were concerned. This led to her decision of taking on the large task of planning a surprise baby shower for Spencer, who was due the first of November.
Seeing as Halloween was two days away, there wasn't much time left to throw the party, and the surprise was short notice, but would be worth it in the end…hopefully.
As she reached the Cavanaugh house, Hanna could spot the cars of each one of her friends. Emily's white Prius was parked behind Aria's silver Camry, which was parked next to Hanna's sleek, black BMW X5, a housewarming present from her father.
She had been hesitant to accept the gift, considering it was too lavish and she was planning on purchasing one anyway, but with accepting it came the opportunity to keep the extra money she and Caleb had been saving and invest that into things for the house.
Spencer's Highlander sat in the garage, Toby had however been in on the surprise and had taken her on a drive to the lake that afternoon while Aria and Hanna set up the get together.
As she opened the door, the overwhelming scent of cinnamon filled her nose. Hoping Aria hadn't burnt down Spencer's kitchen trying to bake cookies, Hanna carefully turned the corner into the kitchen to find quite the scene. Emily was hunched over on the floor, mopping up the floor with a paper towel.
"Em, what the hell happened?"
The mocha-eyed woman nearly slammed her head on an open drawer as she scampered to a standing position. "You're back." She said nervously.
Hanna rolled her eyes. "I said I was going home to grab my present and I'd be back in five minutes. And I live four blocks away."
"I get your point."
"You never explained what happened." Hanna retorted.
Emily crossed her arms over her chest and shifted her weight to the other leg. "Aria tried to go all Betty Crocker on us and make Ella's famous Cinnabon cake. But she dropped the entire bag of cinnamon on the kitchen floor." She explained dryly.
"Where has the culprit gone off to?" Asked the blonde.
"She went to the grocery store to buy air freshener so the smell won't burn anyone's eyes or turn the party into a group cinnamon challenge."
Hanna began to feel her chest contract with apprehension. "The party is supposed to start in a half an hour, and all we have us a couple pink streamers hanging from the ceiling of a house that smells like the freaking Cinnabon factory!" She grabbed her chest, beginning to wheeze.
Emily pulled a paper bag out of the still open drawer and handed it to her hyperventilating friend. "Relax! Spencer isn't even going to be here for another hour, and what guests arrive on time anyway?"
Hanna dropped the bag from her mouth and tried to catch her breath to speak. "You're not helping!" She gasped. "And neither are you!"
Aria looked up from the grocery bag she was inspecting as she walked through the door. Her oblivious expression couldn't hide her guilty one. She pointed to herself "Me?"
"Ari, please fix the smell before Hanna gives herself a stroke." Emily commanded her.
Giving them a thumbs up, the woman proceeded to pull out a can of apple febreze and began spraying it throughout the living room, hoping to lessen the stinging stench.
After Hanna had calmed considerably, she finally got back to decorating.
The pink and orange theme was going to be a hit. Not only was it the chosen color scheme for everything that had to do with Baby Girl Cavanaugh, but the season had coincidentally matched it as well.
Pumpkins that had been painted pink cold be found at every spot on each table set up on the screened in porch of Spencer as Toby's back yard. Orange candles could be found burning around the living room as well as streamers and other various baby shower decorations.
"Mmm, it smells like cinnamon apples in here!" Announce Caleb as he and Cooper entered the house twenty minutes later.
"You can thank me later." Aria quietly jabbed her friends.
Hanna rolled her eyes. "You're lucky, Aria here almost clouded this place into oblivion with her cinna-storm." She circled around the kitchen table where she had been setting up food trays and made her way over to her husband, gently kissing him.
"So who else are you expecting to come tonight?" He asked the women.
Aria and Emily both shrugged in utter confusion, because neither could think of any friends outside of their group that were on good enough terms to attend.
"I know Melissa and her new boyfriend will be there. They're bringing Tay. Our mothers, and I think Toby invited one or two guys from work who's wives are friends with Spencer." Hanna recited.
"Who's Melissa's new guy?"
Aria sighed. "His name is Isaac Daniels. He just started at their parents firm two months ago. Veronica set them up. That's all I know as of today."
"Of course she did," Hanna mocked the statement.
Veronica would take any chance to thrust a wealthy man into her daughter's life, no matter the cost. It was as if the mob was of no concern to her, and neither were criminals or hustlers. As long as they were handsome and made a fine living, they would be formally introduced almost immediately. When Spencer had gotten pregnant, her mother had rightfully backed away from the meddling and began completely accepting Toby, because he wasn't going anywhere.
Emily shook her head. "Actually they really hit it off."
"You're kidding," gasped Aria who wrestled with Spencer's black lab, Pippa on the floor.
"No," the woman continued. "They have been nearly inseparable ever since they met. Tay even approves."
"Well maybe that's a good thing, Mel and Tay need someone to help them safe at night." Caleb piped up from his place at the kitchen table.
Hanna nodded in agreement. "I think he sounds like a good thing for Melissa's life. She could use a new focus." She practically groaned. "Spence brought Taylor over to visit with Coop last weekend, since they're in the same preschool class, and she asked me where we kept our graphing calculator was."
"Sounds like she's raising another true Hastings," Aria teased.
Hanna nodded and willed to continue the rant. "When we brought out the puzzles, she finished a 500-pieced one in twenty minutes. Twenty minutes! I've been working on that puzzle for three years almost."
Suddenly before anyone of the friends could add to their conversation, the front door swung open loudly. "Where is the party?" A familiar voice asked.
Jason DiLaurentis entered the kitchen quickly, nearly frightening the group. He looked around, giving everyone a confused look.
"It hasn't started quite yet." Emily informed Spencer's brawny half-brother.
He blushed. "I see."
Aria tapped the empty chair next to hers. "Well, sit down. Don't be shy."
He quietly sat without another word. Tapping her glossy manicured fingernails on the dark wood of the table, Hanna asked. "How have you been, Jason?" She stood up and made her way to the fridge, pouring herself a glass of sparkling cider they'd been using for the punch later on.
Jason shifted awkwardly in the seat, folding his hands in front of him on the table. "Uh, I've been great. I'm living in my own house now, it's on the corner of Dartmouth and Spivey."
"Oh, that's your place?" Asked Caleb eagerly, remembering passing it on the way to his new office. "Nice."
The man nodded, clearing his throat. "I'm engaged, too." He stated.
"Are you?" Emily asked. He nodded.
Hanna sat back in her seat, taking a sip of the cider. "Who's the lucky girl?"
"Kate R-"
"Kate Randall?" Hanna gasped, nearly spewing her drink everywhere.
"Yeah. Crazy, isn't it?" He smirked. "She's really changed,"
"Oh, we know." She laughed back.
Caleb piped up. "She sold us our house. We've been there about a week."
Jason nodded. "Right, she mentioned that. I'm glad you're cool with everything now. She was pretty hesitant about taking you guys on as clients."
"It's understandable." Hanna thought for a minute before speaking again, this time more inquisitively. "Spencer never mentioned that you were with Kate. I don't recall seeing a ring, either."
"Ah, well I proposed like, three days ago. I don't think anyone is supposed to know yet, but I can trust you all." He paused. "I hope."
Emily smiled and nodded along with the others. "I have no problem keeping it a secret. Aria on the other hand…" She and everyone then glanced to the tiny woman who typed away at her phone, texting something.
She looked up to the stares she was receiving, shrugging. "What? Ezra doesn't know enough people to tell. And it's not like a bunch of college students care."
"Whatever, it's fine. We're planning telling people tonight or tomorrow."
Hanna smiled, resting her head in her hands. "That's really cool, Jason. I'm happy for you two."
"Yeah?"
"Of course. She's family, you're a good friend and great brother to Spencer, why wouldn't I be? This is exciting." She replied.
Emily sat up, alert.
"How exactly, if you don't mind me asking, did you two meet?"
He cleared his throat, stretching back in his chair. "I was volunteering at the group home in Allentown about two years ago, and Kate had just been released. She had come to complete her service hours and we met, and before long we were spending more time together. We just sort of… Clicked?" He hesitated. "Anyway, we have been officially together about a year and a half."
"That's so sweet. Who'd have thought you two would find each other." Hanna teased.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
After their brief catching up, the party hosts finished setting up completely, just as more guests began arriving.
Kate, who had previously reunited with Spencer, shyly joined the group at Jason's side. Melissa and Isaac arrived shortly after, along with Taylor who found no problem sticking with Cooper.
Ella and Ashley both carpooled, and Peter sauntered in seemingly alone, heading straight for Isaac Melissa. Veronica had deferred her appearance due to a conference she absolutely couldn't miss.
Around seven-thirty, the group had gathered in the living room to await the guest of honor.
"So, should we be hiding?" Ezra quietly asked Caleb, who shook his head.
"Hanna and the girls say no."
Ezra deadpanned. "It's a surprise party…"
Aria, who sat on his other side, nudged him. "You don't scare pregnant women." She whispered.
"I don't think making Spencer cry is the worst thing anything has ever happened."
"No," she replied. "If we scare her, she could be so shocked that she goes into early labor."
He furrowed his brow at her statement, pausing. "Is that bad? She's due next week."
Aria swatted him over the head and laughed. "No, then the party would be a waste. We've worked really hard on all of this, not to mention keeping the secret; that was the hardest."
"I see Uncle Toby's twuck!" Taylor cried excitedly. She and Cooper were sitting on the floor, before the front window, keeping watch for Hanna.
"Hide!" Cooper yelled to his new friend. The two preschoolers ran across the foyer and into the den. They then proceeded to take a spot behind the couch where Hanna and Caleb sat.
Everyone stayed put in their seats around the room, waiting for the couple to come inside.
After what seemed like hours, the kitchen door finally opened.
"Toby, why are all the lights on? I specifically remember turning them off before you dragged me out of here against my will." Spencer grumbled.
Toby could be heard chuckling. "I don't know why they're on, babe. And admit it, you enjoyed feeding the ducks."
"They were really cute, but - OH, MY GOD!"
"Surprise!" The guest cried.
"What's going on, why are you all in my house?" The pregnant woman asked skeptically.
Hanna rolled her eyes, getting on her feet and walking over to hug her friend. "Happy Baby Shower!"
Spencer stayed still for a moment, shock spilling over her features. She raised a hand to her mouth, her other rested upon the top of her large, swollen stomach. "You guys!" She squeaked.
Aria and Emily followed Hanna and gave the woman warm hugs.
Spencer sniffled quietly, choking back her sobs. "I don't know why I'm crying. This is so embarrassing!"
Hanna shook her head. "No, it's completely normal. And expected." She squeezed her hand, shaking it gently. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah," Spencer answered, nodding and wiping her nose. "It's cool. Just wasn't expecting it. I love you guys!"
The girls went in for one last group hug before rejoining the rest of the party crowd.
—
"Momma, I can't be Iron Man with no secret partner." Cooper whined as he stepped out of his Halloween costume.
Hanna set the spandex suit on the kitchen counter along with the plastic mask and padding. She sighed. "Coop, I told you… You don't need Pepper Pots to trick-or-treat with you. And Mommy doesn't have that costume."
The little boy grumbled. "No one is gonna know who I am, then!"
"Baby, you'll be fine. Everyone loves Iron Man, and everyone knows what he looks like." She replied, helping her son into his jeans.
"Last year was funner when Sammy was Pepper Pots with me at school."
Hanna stood up and face-palmed. "Well then what else would you want to be for Halloween? Better decide quick, you got 48 hours."
The five-year-old thought a minute, mulling over his options. "I'll get back to you!" He stated before stalking off into the den.
Hanna followed him and stopped at the television. "What movie do you wanna watch before nap time, Bud?"
Cooper settled into the L-shaped couch with his Avengers blanket. He pressed his index finger on his chin, again in thought. "Peter Pan, duh!" He decided.
The blonde laughed and snapped the DVD case open, popping the disc into the player.
As the music faded in, Hanna's cell rang from its spot in the kitchen. She walked over hastily and picked it up. Despite not recognizing the number, she clicked the Talk button.
"Hello?"
There was stagnated breathing on the other end, making Hanna nervous. "Hanna? It's Melissa."
"Oh, hey." She replied, relieved it wasn't some kind of serial killer.
"Are you busy? I'm sort of in a hurry."
"No, it's fine." Hanna hopped on a bar stool next to the counter. "What's up?"
She could tell the woman was in a rush by the way she held the phone and breathed hard into the receiver. "My boss at the firm called an emergency meeting. Tay's babysitter got the flu and I have no one to watch her. Today was supposed to be my day off. Spencer's too pregnant and preoccupied to grab her and Isaac is in New York on business…"
"Bring her over here, then. She and Coop have a blast together, they'd be fine." She said simply.
"Really, you're sure it's ok?" Melissa asked in an exasperated rush.
"Yeah, absolutely. We're free all afternoon. Caleb is working. Just drop her off."
"Oh, my God. Thank you, you're a lifesaver! I'll see you in a sec."
"See you,"
Hanna trailed back into the den where Cooper sat, snuggled on the couch.
"Buddy, Tay is coming over to play."
The little boy sat straight up and peeked over the armrest. "She is?"
Hanna nodded. "Is that a problem?"
"What about nap time?"
"You really want that nap, huh? Guess we'll have to take a rain check on Taylor." She teased.
"No!" He cried, hopping off the couch. "Please let her come over!"
Hanna giggled at his eager request. "Okay, she'll be here in a few minutes, so go ahead and pick up those Legos so no one trip on them." She pointed at the scattering of the plastic blocks in the corner of the den.
Cooper scampered over to the mess and began quickly returning all of them to their storage container.
Five or so minutes later, the doorbell rang. Cooper blushed and Hanna walked over to greet the guests. "Hey, girls." she waved.
Taylor waved and skipped into the house to find Cooper, Melissa stayed on the front step, still in a rush.
"Thank you so much for letting me drop her off, it's seriously amazing." she gushed.
Hanna waved it off and shrugged. "They seem to get along really well. We should do this more often."
Melissa nodded, backing up down the steps. "That's a great idea! I'll text you when the meeting ends."
"Alright, drive careful." she shut the door behind her and made her way back to the den, where Cooper was showing off his new Chinese Checkers set. Taylor giggled and fawned over the game, and blushed whenever Cooper caught her staring at him instead. The two were incredibly adorable, no one could deny that.
Watching her son interact with another child made Hanna wonder. Maybe it was time to start trying for another, or at least to suggest the idea with Caleb. She of course had always known that she wanted to give Cooper a sibling; there's so much they could all learn from the new addition. But Cooper was only five, and who's to know if he was ready to share his parents' attention.
Them moving to Rosewood was supposed to mean a new beginning to their family, but maybe they needed time to settle in, the rooms she had picked out for future children would always be there.
Was that horrible?
Please review!