NYLON ~ 67 ~ PRIVATE PRACTICE

Hanna tapped her foot impatiently. There was a dense air in the cold white room as she waited in the lobby of Emily's lawyer's office. The barrage of disappointments that Emily had dealt with in the last few months was worse than Hanna could imagine. That's why it was important for her to stand up for her friend and offer her testimony of Emily's parenting skills. Finally the door to the office opened and Emily's lawyer invited her in.

"Take a seat," Jane Anderson, attorney at law, told her.

"Thank you," Hanna smiled.

"So," Jane told her, "I'm not sure how much you understand. Basically our psychologist Dr. McCullers will ask you a few questions about Emily's role as a parent to Ben. I need you to answer honestly and thoroughly."

"McCullers?" Hanna turned and saw a grown up Paige sitting on a tweed couch.

"Hi Hanna," Paige smiled knowingly.

"You know each other?" Jane asked.

"Paige and I went to school together," Hanna explained. She turned to her. "It's good to see you again."

Once the initial shock was out of the way, Paige conducted their interview professionally. Hanna answered a slew of questions all while keeping her composure and making sure to paint Emily in the best light possible as a mom.

"All right," Paige finally closed her notepad. "I'm just going to ask you a few questions and you need to answer honestly. There's no right answer."

"Okay," Hanna took a deep breath.

"First," Paige began, "when did Emily become part of Ben's life?"

"She and Kristen had been dating for eight months," Hanna explained. "Shortly after that they moved in together."

Paige's questions continued getting slightly more difficult as they progressed but Hanna did her best to answer honestly. She knew Emily was an amazing mother to Ben even though they weren't biologically related, but she still loved him like her own. He had become accustomed to having Emily in his life and he couldn't lose her so soon after losing his own mother.

It was shameful, Hanna believed, that Ben's grandparents were trying to uproot the little boy so abruptly, especially after having such a sparse relationship. Hanna always knew Kristen had a troubled relationship with her parents due to her sexuality, but she never imagined they could be so malicious toward an innocent child who is already feeling so lost.

Hanna finished answering the questions as honestly as she could and then Paige closed up her notebook. She gathered her things and shook Hanna's hand.

"Wait," Hanna told her getting up. "Can I walk out with you?"

"Uh, sure," Paige shrugged.

"If you don't mind me asking," Hanna inquired, "how did you get on this case?"

"I have a contract with the city," Paige explained. "They call me when they need my help with social services cases. I specialized in family mediation."

"Oh," Hanna smiled, "I guess I never saw you as a therapist."

"We didn't talk much in high school," Paige reminded her. "Our interactions mainly consisted of you trying to give me a makeover."

"And I stand by that mauve lipstick," Hanna smiled. "It's just nice to see you again, that's all."

"You too," Paige replied. "Off the record, I hope this all works out in Emily's favor."

"Me too," Hanna smiled. Then she grabbed Paige's arm before she could escape. "Do you work outside of the city?"

"You mean like private practice?" Paige asked.

"Yeah," Hanna nodded. "Do you have your own practice."

"Here's my info," Paige pulled out a small card. "Why do you ask?"

"I think I need to see a therapist," Hanna explained. "It's a family matter. Would you be able to help?"

"Make an appointment," Paige smiled. "I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks," Hanna hugged her, taking Paige by surprise.

"Welcome," Paige laughed as they parted.

"It was good to see you again," Hanna waved, disappearing into the parking structure.

UP NEXT ~ TEAM HALEB

Hanna and Caleb finally tell their friends about the secret wedding.