NYLON ~ 59 ~ HERE'S A REASON

Hanna finished pouring water in the coffee maker and turned the pot on. She grabbed a mug from the cabinet and then rifled through the pantry for a croissant or pastry to satisfy her craving.

"Good morning," Caleb said carrying JT into the kitchen.

"Hey," Hanna smiled. "I didn't even hear you come in. How was the park?"

"JT made a new friend," Caleb replied, "and we brought you this."

Caleb handed her a pink bakery box.

"You're the best!" she squealed opening it to find her favorite cherry Danish inside.

"Mommy I want some," JT reached out for the pastry in Hanna's hand.

"You already had one," Caleb reminded him.

"You gave him a pastry?" Hanna was concerned.

"Nope," Caleb explained. "Just a small bite of my bear claw."

"Oh okay," Hanna said taking a sip of her coffee.

"Dada," JT started getting squeamish, "read me a story."

"I'll just…" Caleb gestured toward the nursery. Hanna nodded and turned back to her coffee just as the doorbell rang. Confused she glanced at the clock and then went into the foyer to answer the door.

"Hey," Spencer said standing in the doorway disillusioned.

"Spencer!" Hanna said letting her in. "I didn't know you were coming over."

"There's something I have to tell you," Spencer admitted. "In person."

"What is it?" Hanna asked inviting her in.

"Um," Spencer took a seat on the couch, "I don't know how to tell you this, but uh…I'm pregnant."

"That's amazing!" Hanna gave her a hug. "How are things with Toby?"

"Better than ever," Spencer replied. "We haven't been this honest and happy since college."

"How far along are you?" Hanna asked.

"Almost twelve weeks," Spencer responded. "I know I'm supposed to wait to tell people until the second trimester but I couldn't hold it in any longer. I wanted you to know first."

"This is so exciting!" Hanna squealed. "You're going to be great parents. I can tell."

"Thanks," Spencer smiled. "There's something else."

"What?" Hanna asked.

"I need someone to take over the design department," Spencer explained, "in case I can't handle a full workload."

"Okay..." Hanna paused.

"I want you to do it," Spencer told her.

"Me?" Hanna was confused. She had no experience in interior design.

"You would be perfect," Spencer gushed. "I know it's not the same, but you went to art school and you were great at you're last job, plus, I trust you."

"Are you sure?" Hanna asked. "I could run your company into the ground."

"You won't," Spencer placed her hands on her shoulder. "You'll be amazing."

"Can I let you know?" Hanna asked.

"Sure," Spencer smiled. "Think on it and let me know."

"Okay," Hanna smiled giving her a hug.

"Well, I better go," Spencer said breaking away. "Keep me posted."

Spencer gave her one last hug and then disappeared into the elevator leaving Hanna to some incredibly dense news.

"Who was that?" Caleb asked standing in the archway.

"Spencer," Hanna explained. "She and Toby are having a baby."

"Really? That's great news," Caleb said slowly. "Well, JT is down for his nap. He was exhausted after the park."

"Thanks for doing that," Hanna smiled.

"You're welcome," Caleb replied. He paused for a moment and then looked at Hanna. They're eyes locked inciting an uncomfortable silence until Caleb spoke up. "Can I talk to you about something?"

"Yeah," Hanna hopped up on the counter. "What's up?"

"Can we talk about that kiss," he told her.

"Which kiss?" she raised an eyebrow.

"You know," he told her solemnly.

"I thought we agreed it was a mistake," she replied.

"Hanna," he looked her right in the eye, "I want to forget that kiss but I can't stop thinking about it. I miss you. I miss us so much. I thought I was okay just being your friend and helping you co-parent but that kiss reminded me of why we fell in love and had JT in the first place. It reminded me that you're the only person I ever want to be with."

"Caleb, come on," she pleaded. "We've been down this road before. It's fun for a while and then we lose the spark. I can't keep going through the same cycle forever."

"Hanna," he approached her slowly and took her hands in his, "I was wrong before. I was being selfish when I left you and JT before. I just wanted everything but I didn't make an effort to be the boyfriend you need."

"Caleb," Hanna sighed. "You are an amazing father and you were right about me slacking as your girlfriend. I wasn't giving you the attention you deserved. This is better. We are friends and we don't have to let our own problems dictate JT's life."

"Do you really give up that easily?" he asked her. "Our problem has always been timing. We're both single now and we have a son together. Isn't it better for us to work through our problems and be together for his sake?"

"Not if we're fighting all the time," she protested. "Can you even give me one good reason why we should entertain this?"

"Here's a reason," Caleb told her. Without hesitation he pressed his body to hers grabbing her tightly by the small of her back before lowering his lips down to hers. His free hand rested behind her head as he lowered her down onto the counter. Hanna didn't push him away. Her fingers slipped under his shirt and she ran them up and down the length of his back as she clasped her legs around his waist.

"Hold on," she pushed him away. "Caleb, you can't just kiss me and make everything all right. We can't risk getting involved again and ruining everything."

"Fine," Caleb sighed. "I guess we'll just...stick to being friends."

"I think that's best," she replied.

"Yeah," Caleb said defeated.

He stepped into the next room leaving Hanna to dwell on the tumultuous turns her morning had taken.