NYLON ~ FORTY-THREE ~ HE MOVED OUT
Hanna finished setting out the last trays of food on the coffee table when the doorbell rang. She opened it to find Emily standing in the doorway with Ali in her arms.
"Hey!" she smiled giving Hanna a hug. "Kristen and Ben are spending some time together so I brought Ali. I hope you don't mind."
"It's fine," Hanna said blowing Ali a kiss. "I'm just glad you made it."
"I brought her toys," Emily said gesturing to her large bag. "Can she just play in the nursery?"
"JT is napping right now," Hanna told her. "Let's go in the media room."
Hanna showed her into the large play room where they put Ali down while a Disney movie played on the big screen.
"Where's all of Caleb's stuff?" Emily asked her looking around the empty room.
"He moved out," Hanna told her as her eyes welled up.
"What?" Emily sat her down. "Are you okay?"
"We had a fight about the wedding and I think we broke up," Hanna said. "But he was right. I was barely even paying attention to him."
"He didn't need to move out permanently though," Emily asked. "You guys aren't going to try and work things out?"
"I don't know," Hanna sighed. "He's a great dad but I think we rushed into things. We've both been happier since he moved out."
"Hanna," Emily rubbed her shoulders, "you guys had a good thing. You have to at least try."
"I think it's just too late now," Hanna replied as the doorbell rang.
Hanna excused herself and answered the door to find Spencer holding up a potted plant.
"Hey!" Hanna hugged her. Emily appeared from the media room and greeted Spencer.
"This is for you," Spencer said handing her the plant. "I thought it would look nice on the patio."
"Thanks," Hanna smiled setting it down on the console table. Before she could show the girls the set up in the living room, the elevator doors opened once again and Aria was greeted with a plethora of hugs.
"I can't believe your place is always clean!" Aria said looking at the room in awe.
"Thanks," Hanna laughed. "Just don't open any closets."
"So," Spencer clapped her hands together, "are you going to explain why we're all here?"
"Why don't we eat first," Hanna replied. She got everyone drinks and they sat down for tea in the living room before she explained why she had brought them all together. "So, I've been asked to write a book."
"You?" Aria laughed. "A writer?"
"I know!" Hanna laughed. "But they heard about my blog and approached me about a huge media deal, and writing a book is part of it."
"What is this book about?" Spencer asked.
"Well, that's why I invited you all over," Hanna replied. "It's basically a memoir focused mainly on my career and being a mom, but I'm also going to include stuff about A and I want to make sure you guys are okay with me including you."
"Why wouldn't we be?" Emily replied quickly.
"I mean," Hanna paused, "a bunch of people weighed in on our story and I think it's time to tell my own version of the story, but that being said, I don't want to speak on behalf of anyone but myself."
"I mean," Spencer piped in, "I trust you to tell the truth about us."
"And I totally intend to," Hanna said quickly, "but I wanted to let you know before I start writing, and of course, I want you to read the pages before I submit them."
"I think that's fair," Spencer replied. "Like I said, I trust you, but I also want to know what you're saying about me."
"I don't know," Aria sighed.
"If you don't want me to," Hanna reminded her, "I won't include you. That's why I'm asking permission."
"It's just that," Aria struggled to find the right words, "I always thought I would be the one to write a book about us."
"Aria, I never," Hanna was cut off by Aria picking up her bag.
"I'm sorry," Aria ran to the door. "I just don't think I can handle this."
"Aria, wait," Hanna ran after her friend but it was too late. She had already disappeared into the elevator.
"I feel bad," Hanna said returning to her guests. "I don't know what I said."
"I think she's just overwhelmed," Emily replied. "Her dream was to be a writer and you've kind of taken that from her."
"But I never meant to—"
"I know," Emily clarified. "It's just that, it comes so easily to you. It's nothing you did wrong. I think she's realizing that she sacrificed her career to be a mom and it's not fulfilling on an academic level but you sacrificed your career and managed to land yourself a new one."
"So I guess she's out," Hanna sighed picking up her phone. "I should call her."
"Not yet," Spencer told her. "Give her some time."
"I hate to break up the party," Emily said, "but I have to take Kristen to an appointment."
"Yeah," Hanna got up to walk her out. "Thanks for coming by and if there's anything I can do to help with Kristen...or with the kids, just let me know."
"Thanks," Emily smiled, "but you've already got enough on your plate."
They said goodbye and Emily stepped into the elevator to leave. Hanna returned to the living room to find Spencer cleaning up.
"You don't have to do that," she told her.
"You know me," Spencer laughed. "Can't have a mess."
"Thanks," Hanna said as they carried empty plates to the kitchen.
"So," Spencer started loading the dishwasher, "how are you holding up?"
"How so?" Hanna asked.
"Come on," Spencer laughed. "Toby told me. Caleb's been staying at his old place."
"I don't know," Hanna replied solemnly. "I'm just trying to get by."
Thank you guys so much for all the reviews! I've been so overwhelmed by your feedback, and I know you're curious about how things are going to work out with Haleb, so I've made the executive decision to upload two chapters each week. Expect new stuff every Sunday and Wednesday on the regular and I hope you enjoyed it!
