I am SO SO SO SO SO SO sorry for the delay. I'm finally back but I wouldn't be doing regular updates for awhile. I'm in the process of moving so my computer access is limited and I'm just kind of stressed with everything. Anyway, without further ado, here's the latest chapter plus a short recap of the most recent events.
Toby tapped her on the shoulder.
"Can I talk to you?" he asked. "In private."
"Uh yeah," Hanna said leading him into the study. She closed the door behind them. "What's going on?"
"I need to know what's going on with Spencer," he told Hanna.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
"We are in serious trouble," Toby explained. "We don't talk anymore and I can't trust her after what happened with Wren."
"Toby, this isn't really my place," Hanna told him.
"I know," he sighed, "and I hate asking you to be in the middle, but I need to know if there's a chance I can repair my marriage."
"All I can say," Hanna told him, "is that she's willing to put in the effort if you are."
"What does that mean?" he asked.
"It means," she explained, "in order to fix your problems, you need to talk. One of you needs to be the bigger person and initiate the conversation. It might seem hard, but it's easier than being miserable for the rest of your lives."
"Okay," he sighed. "I think I understand."
"You good?" she asked opening the door.
"Yeah," he gave her a hug. "Thanks."
The two stepped back toward the rest of the party and Hanna caught sight of Andrew still holding a wrapped box, a sign he had just arrived.
"Hey!" Hanna said running toward him. "You made it!"
"Hi," Andrew made an attempt to kiss her but Hanna pushed him away.
"Not here," she said. "I don't want JT getting the wrong idea."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked.
"I used to kiss his dad," Hanna explained. "I don't want him thinking you're his new dad. It's not fair to Caleb."
NYLON ~ 52 ~ THE PARTY POOPER
Hanna bounced JT as she strode back and forth on the terrace. He loved the sounds of Central Park rising up from below and this was the only way she knew to get him down for a nap since he'd turned a year old. She was a happy mom, though. Her son was getting older and more energetic, but she yearned for the moment when he would finally shut his eyes and she could feel him succumb to sleep. Once she was satisfied that he was dozing fully and deeply, she carried him inside and laid him gently in the crib. She shut the door behind her and sat down to work on the latest article for her blog: The bittersweet celebration of the first year. Unfortunately she was cut short when the doorbell rang the second she opened her word doc.
"Shit," she breathed passing by JT's room to make sure the sound hadn't woken him. She sighed in relief and then checked the surveillance cameras which alerted her of Spencer's presence. Hanna opened the door and ushered her friend inside. "Hey! Come in."
"Thanks," Spencer smiled weakly.
"Are you okay?" Hanna asked as she sat down with her friend on the couch.
"I don't think so," Spencer replied as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Oh honey," Hanna took her friend in her arms. "What is it?"
"Toby," Spencer choked out. "He won't even look at me. I...I think it's over."
"You've been through so much together," Hanna said. "Have you guys considered therapy?"
"I can't," Spencer sighed. "He hasn't said two words to me. Not at home. Not at work. He hates me, Hanna. What am I going to do?"
"Spence," Hanna rubbed her back gently. "What if you stayed here for a bit? Give him some time to cool off."
"Are you sure?" Spencer asked. "I don't want to bring my drama into your house. You and Caleb are finally working things out."
"Trust me," Hanna replied, "things with Caleb and I won't be any different if you move in. In fact, I'm sure he'd love having you around and JT can always use more time with his godmother."
"Thanks Hanna," Spencer hugged her. "You're amazing."
"Hold on," Hanna warned her, "this won't solve everything. You and Toby will have to work something out eventually before you run that company into the ground. I don't need you leaving my baby daddy unemployed."
"I knew I could count on you to make everything about you," Spencer teased.
"Shut up!" Hanna give her best attempt at a serious look. "Keep it up and you'll be sleeping on a cot in JT's room.
"Sorry," Spencer mimed locking her lips. "You have my utmost respect."
"Come on," Hanna grabbed her hand. "Let me show you your chambers."
Hanna led her friend into the spare bedroom and showed her the ropes even though Spencer was fully familiar with the home having furnished and decorated it herself over a year ago. Hanna wasted no time with making Spencer comfortable and pouring them each a glass of wine. After a couple of glasses JT made his presence known with his shill screams. Hanna ran to his crib and moved her conversation with Spencer into the nursery so he could play with his toys.
"Can I get you another?" Hanna asked noticing her friend's empty glass.
"I shouldn't," Spencer said.
"Come on," Hanna nudged her. "You deserve it. I wish I'd taken my frustrations out on a bottle of wine when Caleb left but I was breastfeeding at the time."
"Atta goo," JT gurgled in baby talk as he knocked his blocks over.
"Yeah, you're the party pooper," Hanna teasingly pointed at him. She turned to Spencer. "So is that a yes?"
"Yupp," Spencer handed her empty glass to Hanna.
"Keep it," Hanna said. "I'll just bring the bottle."
She got up and headed for the kitchen to open a fresh bottle when the door opened. Caleb poked his head in the fridge and grabbed a cold beer.
"Hey," Hanna smiled stepping out of the cellar. "How was work?"
"Uh yeah," Caleb sighed taking a sip when he noticed the wine in her hand. "Definitely one of those days."
"Give me a hand?" she asked offering him the bottle and an ancient wine cork. "I can never do this and I can't find the automatic one anywhere."
"It's right here," Caleb said putting down his beer and pulling it out from a cabinet to open the bottle. "I put it away when we were cleaning up after JT's party."
"Thanks," Hanna smiled taking the bottle. She noticed his solemn face. "You okay?"
"Yeah," he smirked, "it's just work. Spencer and Toby are fighting so it's up to me to play mediator. Plus she skipped out today and left a ton of work behind for us both. Have you heard from her at all? She hasn't picked up her phone since noon."
"He keeps saying 'mama,'" Spencer said poking her head in with JT in tow.
"Oh," Caleb breathed.
"Spencer is staying with us for a while," Hanna informed him.
"I hope that's okay with you," Spencer told Caleb.
"It's fine," he laughed. "Nothing better than having your boss sleeping in the room next door."
"Come on," she smiled. "I'm hardly your boss."
"Bodth bodth bodth!" JT chanted clapping his hands excitedly.
"That's right!" Hanna smiled. "You're the boss."
"So," Caleb said picking up the phone, "should I call in dinner? I doubt you two had time to whip anything up with all that daytime vino today."
"You read my mind," Hanna said.
"Thank you," Spencer mouthed to her friend. Hanna smiled brightly.
"I love you," Hanna echoed while Caleb was on the phone with his back turned.
Thanks for reading and thank you to everyone who sent me lovely messages during the hiatus. I appreciate all of you more than you'll ever know and I'm thankful that you still want to read my story after all this time. Here's to many more chapters to come!
