NYLON ~ CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE ~ YOU'RE NOT EVEN MARRIED

Hanna put the last of her things into a cardboard box and sealed it up. She grabbed her phone from the charger on the side of her desk and pulled off the sign on her door. When she looked up she saw a familiar redhead grinning from ear to ear.

"Mom?" Hanna squealed. Her mother gave her a tight hug and pulled her in close.

"When were you going to tell me you moved?" her mom teased. "I went to your old place and it was stripped."

"I'm sorry," Hanna sighed. "Everything's been so crazy lately I haven't had time to call you."

"Wait," Ashley grabbed her daughter's hand, "are you moving offices too?"

"Um no," Hanna replied. "I actually quit."

"What?" Ashley was in shock. "You love your job."

"Yeah," Hanna smiled, "but I'm going to be a mom now. I mean, you did it when you had me, and Caleb wants to be the dutiful breadwinner. I can't take that away from him."

"I don't know how I feel about that," Ashley said taking a seat on the empty desk. "You guys are just barely getting back together. There's no stability in your relationship. You're not even married."

"Mom!" Hanna sighed. "First of all, he will propose if he wants to and we haven't even talked about that. Plus, you and Dad were married and look how that worked out."

"Touche," Ashley replied, "but I'm really worried about you. You and Caleb have been on and off for a decade. It's hard for me to believe you'll both be invested this time."

"Why does everyone keep saying this?" Hanna said exasperated. "We are having a baby. No, it wasn't planned, but we're both very committed to being good parents whether or not we stay together. It may not be enough for you but it's enough for us."

"Alright," Ashley smiled, "can you just promise me you're happy?"

"I'm happy," Hanna replied. "I really am."

"Well then," Ashley laughed, "let's go eat. I'm starving."


Hanna sat on the couch in her living room while Ashley sipped a mug of coffee across from her. They'd spent the whole day together but Hanna was still unclear on the motive behind Ashley's surprise visit.

"So," Hanna smiled changing the subject, "what brings you to the city today?"

"I just wanted to see you," Ashley replied, "and make sure you're doing well."

"That's it?" Hanna asked.

"Well actually," Ashley told her, "I was thinking of moving to the city to be closer to you and help out when the baby comes."

"Really?" Hanna asked. "I thought you hated kids."

"Other people's kids," Ashley clarified. "He's going to be my grandson and I don't want you pawning him off on someone else when you need help. We're family."

"We have a spare bedroom," Hanna said. "It's got a huge closet and a bathroom with a tub. Caleb and I would love to have you."

"I don't want to impose," Ashley replied. "I can get my own place."

"Wait!" Hanna piped up. "You can stay in my old apartment. It's fully furnished!"

"You kept it?" Ashley asked. "I thought it was a lease."

"Lease to own," Hanna told her. "I bought it a couple years ago actually."

"In that case," Ashley laughed, "when can I move in?"

"I'll make you a copy of the key tomorrow," Hanna told her as the elevator opened and Caleb stepped in the foyer.

"Hey Ashley," he smiled sauntering over to greet her. "When did you get into New York?"

"This morning," Ashley replied, "and Hanna has graciously offered me a place to stay while I'm here in exchange for free baby-sitting."

"You're moving here?" he asked. "I thought you loved Rosewood."

"I do," Ashley replied. "I really do, but change is good and I want to be close to Hanna right now. I'll still keep the old house and go back but New York is where I need to be at the moment."

"We're happy to have you," Caleb smiled sitting down.

"Don't get too excited," Hanna teased him. "My mom's staying at my old place. I figure it's empty anyway, right?"

"I wasn't going to say anything," Caleb joked, "but this place is a little too small for us already."

"Shut up!" Hanna laughed. "It didn't occur to me how big this apartment would be before I bought it. I can't even imagine ever using that dining room."

"Christmas is next week," Ashley said, "you can host a dinner. I'll take care of everything. I promise!"

"Are you sure?" Hanna asked. "You'd be moving into a new place."

"You said it yourself," Ashley told her. "The apartment's already furnished. There's nothing I need to do. It'd be a great way to meet more people in New York too."

"I think that's a great idea," Caleb smiled as Ashley's phone rang.

"Excuse me," Ashley said getting up. "I need to take this."

"Hey," Hanna sidled up close to Caleb. "Have you thought about inviting your mom for Christmas?"

"I think she's staying in California with my brothers," Caleb replied. "They're doing a family vacation to see their grandparents."

"I know you probably don't want to consider this," Hanna said, "but what about your dad?"

"What about him?" Caleb scoffed.

"Come on," Hanna sighed. "I know you guys are in touch now and I know he's living upstate. Do you think maybe it's time to let him into your life?"

"I don't want a relationship with him," Caleb replied. "I call him when I fill out a family medical history report but other than that we are essentially strangers. We don't owe each other anything."

"What about our son?" Hanna asked him. "Don't you think he should have a chance to know his grandfather?"

"Not if his grandfather has a habit of deserting his family," Caleb retorted. "I don't want our son to have to deal with my father's instability."

"Can you at least think about it?" Hanna pleaded. "My dad isn't around anymore and even though we were never on the best of terms, I wish that he could be a part of my son's life."

"I'll consider it," Caleb replied, "but I don't want you bringing this up again. Not until I've had some time to think."

Thanks again for all of the reviews this weekend! You guys are awesome. This is just a little something to tide you over until I get to writing again :)