NYLON ~ CHAPTER SEVENTEEN ~ IT'S A SURPRISE

Hanna hoisted her bag over her shoulder and picked up the two paper coffee cups as she rode the elevator to Spencer's floor. The doors finally opened and Hanna stepped into the lobby waiving at the receptionist as she went in search of Spencer's office. Hanna found Spencer sitting at her desk sketching and tapped lightly at the door.

"Hey," Spencer smiled looking up.

"I was in the neighborhood," Hanna said offering her friend a coffee. "I was hoping I could take you to lunch."

"What's going on?" Spencer was suspicious.

"It's a surprise," Hanna told her. "There's something I want you to see."

"I think I can get away," Spencer said sipping her coffee. "Let me just clear my schedule."

"Yes!" Hanna squeaked following Spencer out the door. The two girls took care of business and then hopped into a cab to the Upper West Side where they pulled up in front of Hanna's new penthouse.

"What are we doing here?" Spencer asked looking up at the majestic building.

"Follow me," Hanna pulled out her key and showed the way to the elevator where they took a straight ride to the penthouse. The door opened in the private landing and Hanna used her key to enter the foyer.

"This is gorgeous," Spencer told her looking around and peeking into the living room.

"How would you like to redo it?" Hanna asked following Spencer as she took in the majestic views.

"I'd love that!" Spencer laughed. "Who owns it?"

"Me," Hanna smiled. "I just bought it."

"You bought this…" Spencer was speechless.

"Well, yeah," Hanna explained, "I mean, technically we're still in escrow but as soon as we cross the T's and dot the I's it's mine."

"This is a five bedroom mansion in the sky," Spencer reminded her. "This is a huge investment. It's not a spur of the moment decision."

"It might have been impulsive," Hanna agreed, "but it's done and I really feel like it's a good move for me."

"Can you explain to me why you think it's a good idea to buy a multi million dollar house?" Spencer asked.

"Look," Hanna told her, "I don't need you to judge me. I want to know if you'll remodel it or not."

"Yeah," Spencer breathed. "I'll do it. Anything, for you."

"Okay," Hanna smiled. "Let's get started."

"So, what were you thinking?" Spencer asked taking a seat on the ground next to Hanna.

"I want to do the living room in cream," Hanna began, "with gold curtains. I'm not really sure about the dining room but I know I want a square table, big enough for twelve. The kitchen should…"

Spencer furiously jotted down notes as Hanna rambled on making sure to get her vision across. She was talking animatedly as she made hand gestures to show Spencer what her dream home would look like. The two shared laughs and stories until Spencer realized the time.

"Crap," she told Hanna. "It's getting really late."

"Oh yeah," Hanna looked around as the sun was setting. "We should probably get going."

"One other thing," Spencer said before they got up. "What do you want me to do with the last bedroom?"

"Oh, the nursery?" Hanna winced as she realized her mistake.

"Nursery?" Spencer laughed. "Isn't it a little early to start planning for that?"

"Not really," Hanna finally admitted. "I'm actually pregnant."

"You're what?" Spencer could hardly fathom it. "But you're…"

"I know," Hanna explained. "I didn't plan it. We just sort of…"

"We?" Spencer asked. "Who's we?"

"It doesn't matter," Hanna replied. "He's not looking for a commitment."

"Well, he fucking made one," Spencer retorted. "This baby is his just as much as it is yours and this guy needs to take responsibility. Where is he? I'll give him a piece of my mind."

"Spence, no," Hanna pleaded. "This is something I need to handle on my own."

"Fine," Spencer sighed. "I will stay out of it as long as you hire me for this house."

"What's it going to cost me?" Hanna asked.

"Five bedrooms," Spencer did the mental math, "and roughly three thousand square feet. I could do the whole house for six thousand plus the cost of materials and furnishings and knowing your taste, that's going to run pretty high."

"Thanks," Hanna smiled. "I knew I could count on you."

"So," Spencer said as they stood up to go, "can you at least clue me in to who this guy is? Do I know him? Does anyone else know about…you know, the baby?"

"Aria does," Hanna answered. "She was with me when I found out but other than her, just you."

"Wait," Spencer held up a hand, "have you even told the father?"

"No," Hanna said quietly.

"Then how do you know he's not interested?" Spencer asked.

"It was one time," Hanna said as a tear slowly rolled off her cheek. "It's not like I need a guy around…"

"Oh honey," Spencer wrapped her in a hug. "I'm so sorry."

"It was so different before," Hanna sobbed, "but he's just so cold now."

"Who?" Spencer was confused.

"Caleb," Hanna spat out. She just couldn't take anymore secrets. "In high school he was never like…"

"Caleb?" Spencer asked. "He's the father?"

"Yeah," Hanna breathed pulling away. "We slept together after your wedding and again a few weeks later but we're not…"

"Hanna, you need to tell him," Spencer said. "You guys have so much history."

"I can't," Hanna replied. "I can do this on my own. I don't need him and he doesn't need me apparently."

"How can you say that?" Spencer asked. "You guys were inseparable in school."

"He barely looks at me anymore," Hanna replied, "unless he wants something, you know…He's just not the guy I used to love."

"Now, wait a minute," Spencer knelt down next to her friend. "You guys might not be together anymore and I know things are different since high school. I mean, it was ten years ago, but you can't let that stop you. He has a right to know. The least you can do is tell him."

"I can't," Hanna told her.

"You can," Spencer retorted. "Think about it. The guy is an orphan. He would never want his own child to grow up without a father like he did. It's not fair to him."

"No, I can't," Hanna said as tears streamed down her face. "I don't even have his number anymore. We're barely friends now."

"Look," Spencer tried to reassure her. "I'll give you his number and if you promise me you'll call him and sort this out, I'll decorate your house for free."

Spencer jotted a phone number down on the back of her business card and handed it to Hanna who took it and shoved it in her purse. Then the two girls sat on the hardwood floor of an elegant Manhattan penthouse contemplating the possibilities that life held for them.

Okay, so Spencer knows and Caleb will find out in the next chapter. Stay tuned! I promise you will be pleased tomorrow when I post the big one!