NYLON ~ 81 ~ YOU CAN TELL

For as long as Hanna could remember, now, she woke up every morning and headed straight to the bathroom. Once again, her head was hunched over the toilet as she expelled the contents of her stomach. As usual, Caleb was close behind to hold her hair and massage her lower back.

"Thanks," Hanna smiled wiping her mouth. She got up to brush her teeth and then turned to Caleb. She pressed her lips to his. "Good morning."

"They're up early," Caleb rubbed Hanna's stomach.

"Yeah," Hanna glanced at the clock on the wall which told her it was far earlier than she was accustomed to being awake.

"Come on," he grabbed her hand. "Let's go back to bed."

He turned down the comforter to let them both back under the covers. Caleb sprawled out and Hanna laid down next to him with her head pressed against his chest while he rubbed her back.

"You're the best," she whispered.

"I just wish I could have been there for you when you were barfing up your breakfast the last time," he told her.

"It wasn't that bad with JT," she told him. "I definitely wasn't throwing up every day, but I've read it's different with twins. More hormones."

"You tired yet?" he asked her.

"Not really," Hanna replied.

"What's on your mind?" he asked.

"I think it's time to tell everyone," she told him.

"I thought we agreed to wait until next month," he told her.

"I don't think I can last that long," she replied. "I look like I swallowed a blowfish, plus everyone will be over today anyway."

"It's not that bad," he said.

"What?" she was outraged. Hanna knelt on the bed and smoothed her nightgown over the bulge protruding from her lower abdomen.

"You can hardly tell," Caleb protested.

"But you can tell," Hanna retorted. "I won't be able to hide it much longer, especially not at work with Spencer."

"It's up to you," he mumbled drifting off to sleep.

"The good news is I'll look pregnant," Hanna whispered lying back on the pillows. "Not like with JT where I just looked fat for six months."

"You look beautiful," Caleb said, his good husband reflexes kicking in, even in his drowsy state.


Hanna stepped out of the closet wearing a black tunic top over a pair of liquid leggings. She searched the room for her dark riding boots which she found kicked under the bed. She slipped them on and then headed into the living room where Caleb was helping JT arrange his toy cars.

"What do you think?" Hanna asked him.

"You look hot," Caleb was just shy of drooling.

"Hot," JT repeated.

"No," Hanna sighed. "Can you tell I'm pregnant. I don't want them speculating just in case I decide not to tell."

"Here!" Caleb handed her a scarf that was haphazardly thrown on the couch. "Try this."

Hanna swung it over her head and wrapped it so it laid perfectly across her belly.

"Perfect," she kissed Caleb.

"Perfek," JT repeated as the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," she said heading for the door. Hanna answered it and was greeted by Spencer who strolled in with Toby in tow carring Victoria.

"Hey," Spencer hugged her.

"Come in," Hanna greeted her guests. "Caleb's in the living room."

Within a few minutes the house was brimming with guests. Hanna and Caleb made sure they all had plenty to drink while a professional team of chefs took over the kitchen and brought out a series of small food trays.

"So," Caleb stood up and clinked his glass with a fork. "I know everyone is headed off in different directions for the holidays, but I'm glad you were all able to make it for one last celebration this year. So, without further ado, let's proceed to the dining room for dinner."

They all filed into the dining room and took seats at the large square table while the children sat at a smaller version against the window. Caleb sat closest to the kitchen and Hanna took the seat next to him.

"So," Spencer asked as they loaded up their plates, "is anyone staying in town for the new year?"

"We'll be here," Aria said. "The Fitzgeralds are in St. Bart's so we'll be staying in the city."

"Don't look at me," Emily said. "My dad's back from leave. Nothing is keeping me from Rosewood."

"We haven't decided yet," Hanna chimed in."We were going to visit Claudia in Montecito, but I think she might be coming here instead."

"What about me?" Ashley asked. "Do I get to go to Montecito?"

"Mom," Hanna nudged her, "I thought you were visiting your boyfriend in Rosewood."

"He's not my boyfriends," Ashley replied.

"Whatever," Hanna teased.

They spent the rest of the meal laughing and joking until their plates were cleared and replaced with a table full of rich desserts and steaming coffee.

"Guys," Emily tapped her glass. "I have a bit of an announcement."

Spencer shushed the table and they all turned their attention to Emily.

"So," she began, "thanks to the combined efforts of RivCav Designs and their amazing team, my fitness studio will be opening doors January fifth. In other words, feel free to double up on dessert because we can all start our new diets next year."

"Cheers!" Spencer raised her glass. Hanna lifted her water glass and joined in the toast. Spencer caught on and stared her down. "Hey, no water."

"Sorry," Hanna replied. "I'm not..."

"Are you..." Emily tread carefully, "...pregnant?"

"Um," Hanna's face flushed. "I guess we have an announcement too. We are having twins..."

"Twins!" Ashley shrieked giving her daughter a hug. "How could you not tell me?"


"Trust me," Hanna told her. "It's the hardest secret I've ever had to keep."

"Oh my gosh," Aria squealed. "How far along are you?"

"Three months," Hanna replied.

"That's so great," Paige said giving her a knowing smile.

"Thanks," Hanna mouthed to her.

"You were right," Caleb whispered in her ear. "Today was the perfect time to tell them."

"I love you," Hanna kissed his cheek.

"Me too," Caleb replied squeezing her tight.

Hanna erupted into a wide toothy grin as she looked around the room and taking in all of the love that her friends had for her and her growing family.


UP NEXT ~ WE DID IT

The Rivers and Cavanaugh power team work on a plan to land a huge client.


I am traveling for work tomorrow so I'm doubling up on updates today. I'm glad you guys are excited about the Haleb baby(babies) and I hope you'll be happy with how the rest of this story turns out.

More importantly, I'm starting to realize that there are only 19 chapters left in this story and I have yet to come up with a new story idea. This is literally the first time I've gotten close to the end without starting a second fic. So, due to my current writer's block, I'm asking you to submit your own ideas! Let me know if you have any cool story concepts for Haleb or any of the girls and I will do my best to write it!

Thanks for reading :)