It wasn't at first sight

by ByAllegra

What happens when Hanna loses her dog and Caleb finds it? This is a HALEB AU story. Hanna will have to deal with the asshole who kept her dog for a year. Caleb will have to deal with the beautiful but crazy girl who doesn't stop yelling at him, and who also happens to be the actual owner of "his" dog. Of course it won't be long until they change their minds and fall for each other.

65. Chapter 65

Almost one year later.

It's a Thursday evening when Hanna returns home to Rosewood after spending her day in New York. Since she opened both her new store and workshop there, she's been heading to the big city once a week, usually on Wednesdays, sometimes on Thursdays, to oversee operations, while spending the rest of the days in Rosewood, working at her store as usual, or even just from home.

The New York store has been a hit, just as Lucas had predicted. It came as a surprise initially because, contrary to their expectations, the mass-produced line outsold the exclusive designs line in New York, while in Rosewood, the exclusive designs remained highly desired, keeping the other line in second place. According to Lucas' customer behavior analysis, this was because Hanna's business faced much tougher competition in New York, with brands more firmly established in the fashion market, whereas in Rosewood, her exclusive designs faced little competition, already known for their high quality and favored by customers from nearby small towns, all willing to pay the higher prizes for the unique dresses.

The turning point came about four months ago when Jennifer Lawrence's stylist walked into Hanna's New York store and picked out a couple of dresses, leading to a surge in popularity after the actress wore one of Hanna's creations on the red carpet at an awards ceremony. Hanna was over the moon with excitement when she saw the actress wearing her dress. It was a major success for her career. Many people congratulated her on that milestone, and she's been contacted by several other talented stylists eager to collaborate with her. The publicity has also boosted sales of her exclusive line in the New York store, reaching unprecedented levels in the past few months. Even though she goes by Hanna Rivers now, when it comes to the fashion world, she's becoming more and more popular as Hanna Marin.

The new workflow designed by Lucas, where there are people to take care of every need of the growing business, such as human resources, accounting, administration, etc., has allowed Hanna to maintain a balanced life between her demanding career and her personal life. Sure, she's had some hectic days, but her life has changed drastically for the better. Hanna has rediscovered the joy that her job brought her in the beginning, before it turned into a constant nightmare of overwhelming tasks. Now, she spends most of her time designing and relishing in her accomplishments. And the best part? She gets to enjoy her evenings with her friends and family, especially with Caleb and Chocolate, of course. Her weekends are entirely hers again. She has time for her Pilates classes, and even though she's doing so well and doesn't need to see her therapist much often now, she still goes there for a session from time to time while in New York. Hanna's back in control of her life now.

Hanna "Hi, sweet giant baby bear of mine!" She excitedly greets Chocolate at the entrance of the house. She starts rubbing his belly while Chocolate lies down on his stomach, looking even more excited, wagging his tail non-stop. "I missed you today!"

She takes her time to pet Chocolate before heading for the living room, looking for Caleb.

Hanna "Where's your daddy, Chocolate?" She asks the dog after not finding Caleb there.

Chocolate trots over to Hanna, his tail still wagging furiously, and drops one of his toys at her feet.

Hanna chuckles and tosses it for him. Then she heads upstairs.

Hanna "Babe, I'm home!" She announces, reaching the first floor.

Caleb "Here!" He answers from his office.

Recently acquiring a new computer and a couple of wide, modern monitors, Caleb needed a proper space for all of it, so he set up his office at home in one of the empty bedrooms.

Hanna "Hey, there you are!" She says, approaching him. "Still working?" She asks, standing behind his office chair and placing her hands on his shoulders.

Caleb "I'm working on a new update for the software." He explains.

Caleb has finished his software months ago, and sold several licenses for its use to clients of his business with Toby, as well as other companies adopting it as a security barrier for their computer systems and internal networks.

Hanna "Are you hungry? I'm ordering something for dinner." She starts to massage his shoulders. "What are you in the mood for?"

Caleb "I'm not sure, babe. You pick."

Hanna "Hmm, how about some grilled chicken and a fresh salad from the Grill? They do delivery." She suggests.

Caleb "Perfect."

As Hanna is about to leave his office, Caleb reaches out, taking her arm.

Caleb "Wait... don't stop with the massage just yet. It feels good, and my back could really use it."

Hanna smiles and goes back to massaging his shoulders. "How many hours have you been sitting in that chair?"

Caleb "Too many." He responds, his eyes shut, enjoying Hanna's touch.

Hanna "Lean forward a bit." She instructs him.

Caleb rests his arms on his desk and leans forward, allowing his head to rest on them. "How was New York today?" He asks as Hanna continues massaging him.

Hanna "Great as always. Leo and I went out for lunch to this new place that opened a block away from the workshop last week. I'm taking you there next time you come with me to New York. They have a very nice patio and their pasta is delicious."

Caleb "Sounds very good."

Hanna "Yeah."

Hanna keeps massaging him for a while, but then she stops and leaning on him, she plants a soft kiss on the side of his neck.

Hanna "I'll go order the food, baby. I'm starving."

Caleb nods, stretching out his arms. "I'll be downstairs in a few minutes."

/

Hanna and Caleb decide to take a short walk with Chocolate after dinner.

Hanna "Hmm, looks like it's going to rain tomorrow, babe." She comments as they stroll hand in hand, with Caleb holding the dog's leash. "We should probably have a plan B just in case we can't use the backyard. I mean, grilling ribs and chicken in the rain isn't exactly ideal."

Caleb "Yeah, Toby actually called me earlier. He offered to cook something himself, but I told him not to worry. I'll just order some pizzas."

Hanna "Okay, then I'll take care of your birthday cake."

Caleb chuckles. "Are you planning to bake it yourself?" He teases.

Hanna smiles. "For your sake, and our friends', I'll just pick one up at the bakery."

Caleb "Ah, so no homemade birthday cake with love?"

Hanna "Not if you want to see another birthday."

Caleb laughs.

Hanna "But don't worry, I'll pick it up by the bakery with very much love."

Caleb only smiles and gives her hand a squeeze.

As they turn around the corner, suddenly, a guy out for a run passes by them. Chocolate's hackles rise, and he lets out a low growl, his body tense with alertness. Caleb reacts swiftly, pulling on the leash to stop him just in time. Fortunately, the bite misses its mark and lands in the air. The man continues running, unaware of the situation due to the earphones he's wearing.

Caleb "Easy, Chocolate!" He firmly orders. "Stay still!"

Hanna "What the hell was that?" She asks Caleb, astonished.

Caleb "I don't know. I guess he just got scared and reacted. I mean, the guy came out of nowhere."

Hanna "Yeah, but he's never reacted like that before…"

Caleb watches Chocolate, who is now calm but still focused on the direction the jogger ran. "Well, he seems calmer now."

Hanna "That's not cool, Chocolate!" She tells the dog, who doesn't even look at her, still attentive to the man's movements.

Caleb "Let's just head back."

/

Hanna "Wanna watch a movie or something?" She casually asks Caleb as she gets into bed.

Caleb, already lying down with his head propped up on pillows, glances at her.

Hanna "I wanna stay up until midnight." She says, smiling.

Caleb smiles back. "I appreciate the gesture, Han, but I'm pretty tired." He says, setting his phone aside on the bedside table.

Hanna shifts to lie on her stomach, moving closer to him. "Don't you want to start your birthday with a kiss from your wife?" She teases, her hand resting gently on his chest.

Caleb "Can't I have one now?" He places his hand on top of hers.

Hanna smiles and leans in, initiating a passionate kiss. Caleb kisses back, his free hand cupping her cheek as they lose themselves in the moment.

Hanna "Okay, then… Guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow to wish you a happy birthday…" She comments, moving away from him after a few minutes. She adjusts her pillow before settling down, lying on her back.

Caleb "Maybe you could wake me up the same way you did on my last birthday…" He suggests playfully.

Hanna grins, recalling that morning very well. "I might." She turns to her side.

Caleb turns to face her too, reaching out to gently brush her hair away from her face. "Aren't you tired too? You are always tired when you come back from New York…" He observes, his thumb caressing her cheek.

Hanna "Yeah, I'm tired." She admits.

Chocolate makes his way into their bedroom.

Caleb "Go back to your bed, Chocolate! I'm still mad at you." He firmly instructs him.

Ignoring Caleb's command, Chocolate lies down on the floor next to Hanna's side of the bed.

Hanna "Don't be so hard on him. I'm sure he doesn't even remember why you're mad at him in the first place." She says, turning to the other side and reaching down to stroke Chocolate from the bed. "It was just a little mistake, right baby? You won't do it again. You're a good boy, aren't you? Yes, you're the best." She warmly speaks to the dog.

Caleb "I love the level of authority I have in this house." He jokes, spooning Hanna, pulling her closer to him by the waist.

Hanna chuckles. "Maybe we should get him a new bed. It looks a little worn-out. He's been sleeping here on the floor for a few nights." She suggests.

Caleb "We can stop by the pet store at the mall this weekend."

Hanna "Uh huh." She switches off the bedside lamp. "Goodnight, babe."

Caleb "Night, baby."

/

Next morning.

Caleb's alarm goes off, and as he wakes up, he notices that Hanna is still in bed next to him. Normally, she gets up earlier than him to start her morning routine because it takes her longer to get ready for work.

Caleb "Hey, baby!" He says softly, caressing her arm. "Han…"

Hanna opens her eyes.

Caleb "You overslept, babe."

Hanna "You shower first. I wanna sleep a little longer… I'm working from home today anyway." She says, grabbing the covers and pulling them up to her head.

Caleb gets up to start his day.

When he comes out from the bathroom, Chocolate has taken over his side of the bed, and he and Hanna are still sleeping, cuddled up together.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, on Hanna's side, Caleb gently shakes her shoulder.

Caleb "Han, wake up."

Hanna looks at him.

Caleb "Shower's all yours."

Hanna "I'll be right up."

Caleb nods and goes back into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, Hanna is about to fall asleep again when realization hits her, and she jumps out of bed.

Hanna "Oh my god, babe! I'm so sorry!" She rushes into the bathroom. "Happy birthday!" She wraps her arms around his waist as he shaves at the sink, hugging him from behind.

Caleb chuckles. "Thanks, baby!"

Hanna "I'm sorry, I was just too tired." She plants a kiss on his shoulder.

Caleb "Thank god we didn't stay up until midnight, huh? You would have slept straight until noon."

Hanna smiles and lets go of him, taking her toothbrush. "I'll just brush my teeth so I can give you a proper kiss before you leave for work."

Caleb smiles and steals a tender peck from her, smudging shaving cream on her face. Hanna grins while wiping the cream off with her hand.

Hanna "Happy birthday, I love you."

/

Later on, Hanna gets out of the shower and throws on her robe, placing a towel on her head to cover her soaking wet hair.

She leaves the bedroom and approaches the stairs.

Hanna "Babe, are you still here?" She calls out, checking if Caleb has already left the house.

Receiving no answer, she goes back to the bathroom, where she retrieves a pregnancy test from one of her drawers. It's a space Caleb rarely ventures into, likely avoiding any accidental encounters with feminine items like tampons. Then, she settles on the toilet seat, ready to take it.

Once finished, she places the test stick by the sink and heads back to the bedroom to get dressed while awaiting the result.

A few minutes later, fully dressed, she returns to the bathroom with a smile on her face, but it fades away the moment she picks up the test and reads the negative results.

With her eyes already welling up, she hides the test inside an empty package of toothpaste before tossing it into the trash. Holding back her tears, she takes a deep breath and decides to continue with her day.

For the rest of the morning, Hanna stays home, working on some new designs.

/

It's the afternoon when Hanna pulls into the driveway, returning home after spending a couple of hours at her Rosewood store. Although she hadn't planned on going there at all that day, the disappointment she experienced in the morning forced her to change her plans, needing to go out and find other things to focus on.

As she heads for the front door, Spencer shows up.

Spencer "Han!" She calls out, coming from the driveway of her house, while carrying two-year-old Finn in her arms.

Finn, a few months past his second birthday, is still a very easy-going little guy. Always in a good mood, waking up each morning with a smile on his face. He's his mommy's little boy, always up for a cuddle with Spencer, and his daddy's little buddy, always ready for new adventures with Toby. And he's Chocolate's biggest fan.

Hanna turns and waits for them.

Spencer "Hey!"

Hanna "Hey, you two!" She grins.

Finn "Awnt-tee!" He says excitedly upon seeing Hanna.

Hanna "Hi, my little angel! How are you today?"

Finn "Choc-lit?"

Hanna chuckles. "He's inside, baby." She looks at Spencer. "Wanna come inside?"

Spencer "Actually, I have to go… Jenny had a situation this morning and couldn't make it to watch Finnie today. That's why I'm here. I saw you pull in with your car and I was wondering if you could watch him for a couple of hours…"

Hanna "Oh, sure! No problem." She tells Spencer, then shifts her gaze to Finn. "Wanna stay with me, baby?"

Finn grins and extends his arms toward Hanna.

Hanna "I was about to leave again for the mall, Spence… I have to get Caleb a present. Is it okay if I take him with me there?" She asks as she settles Finn on her hip.

Spencer "Sure, Han… Hadn't you gotten Caleb a present already? Thought you said it arrived by mail last week."

Hanna "Yeah, but something happened and I can no longer give him that. Anyway, take my car." She says, handing Spencer the keys to her car. "I'll take yours, so I can settle this little one in his seat."

Spencer "Perfect!" She takes Hanna's keys and hands her own to her.

Hanna "Don't worry about Finnie. I was planning on taking the rest of the day off anyway. He can come with me to pick up Caleb's cake too. Take your time to do whatever you need to do. Actually, you can leave him with me until you guys come over this evening for Caleb's birthday."

Spencer grins. "Thanks, Han! You are the best!" She then places a soft kiss on Finn's forehead. "Be good with Auntie Hanna, son. Mommy and daddy will see you later, okay?"

Finn nods.

Spencer "I'll just leave you a bag with his things and some snacks in the backseat of my car, Han. And his stroller is in the trunk."

Hanna "Okay."

Spencer "Thanks again, Han! You are saving me!" She says before walking away.

Hanna smiles. "No problem!"

Then, Hanna turns around, searching for her keys in her purse with her free hand.

Hanna "Wanna see Chocolate?"

Finn "Yay!" He says, excited.

Hanna laughs. "Just for a little while, because we need to go get uncle Caleb a present. It's his birthday today, did you know?" She asks Finn, while opening the door. "You'll get to eat some cake tonight, Finnie!"

Finn "Yay, cake!"

Hanna chuckles.

/

Hanna and Finn have a great time at the mall. Finn behaves exceptionally well in his stroller, allowing Hanna to not only find a present for Caleb but also to shop for a new bed for Chocolate. Finn even helps choose the bed! Afterwards, as a reward for the little boy, they stop by the toy store, where Hanna lets Finn pick out a toy for himself. They leave the mall with a bathing suit for Caleb, a new bed for Chocolate, and a couple of colorful toy cars designed for toddlers for Finn.

After picking up a cake for Caleb, they return home where Finn plays with his new cars and spends time with Chocolate.

By the time Caleb gets back from work, the house is silent. Entering the living room, he finds Hanna asleep on the couch. She's lying on her back, with Finn also asleep, resting on top of her, his head on her chest as she holds him in her arms. Chocolate is also napping, lying on the floor before them.

Caleb approaches them, but suddenly, Chocolate stands up, positioning himself protectively between Caleb and the couch where Hanna and Finn are asleep. He starts barking, startling Hanna and Finn awake, the little kid bursting into tears immediately.

Caleb "Hey, Chocolate! It's me!"

But Chocolate doesn't relax, continuing to growl at Caleb.

Hanna "Stop it, Chocolate!" She orders, sitting up and embracing Finn. "It's okay, baby. It's just Chocolate."

Caleb extends his arm, offering his hand to Chocolate so he can sniff it. Chocolate recognizes him and calms down.

Hanna "What the hell is wrong with him?" She asks Caleb.

Caleb sighs. "I don't know… maybe I startled him when he was deep asleep…"

Hanna "It's okay, Finnie." She tells the kid softly, wiping his tears. "It was just Chocolate." She reassures. "Everything is okay, sweetie." She kisses his forehead. "Wanna show uncle Caleb your new cars? He loves playing cars."

Caleb "Really? You've got new cars, buddy? Let me see them!"

Finn, a bit calmer, climbs off Hanna's lap and retrieves his cars from the coffee table.

Hanna "Go upstairs, Chocolate!"

Chocolate stares at her.

Hanna "Upstairs now, Chocolate!"

The dog hesitates but eventually follows her command and disappears down the hallway, heading for the stairs.

Hanna "That's not like him at all. Something must be up." She tells Caleb.

Caleb nods before turning his attention to Finn, who approaches with his cars, ready to show them off.

Caleb "These cars are awesome, buddy!"

Finn smiles through his tears.

Caleb "Wanna race?"

Finn "Yay!"

Hanna chuckles, approaching with a tissue in hand. "That's his favorite word." She tells Caleb while wiping Finn's nose.

Hanna takes her phone and lies back down on the couch, replying to a text from Spencer who wants to know about Finn, and then keeping herself entertained as Caleb and Finn play with the cars.

She's still immersed in her phone when Finn approaches her.

Finn "Unca's pez-zent?"

Hanna "Oh, you want to give uncle Caleb the present we got for him?" She asks, setting her phone aside.

Finn nods eagerly.

Hanna smiles, already sitting up.

Caleb "Oh! You two got me a present?" He asks Finn.

Finn grins.

Hanna retrieves the gift bag from Finn's stroller and hands it to him. Finn walks toward Caleb, who now is sitting in one of the armchairs.

Finn "Hap birday, Unca Caweb!" He says, offering the present to Caleb.

Caleb "Thanks, buddy! I'm really hoping for amazing cars like yours!" He says, while opening the bag.

Hanna "You are too old for toy cars, Caleb." She playfully teases.

Caleb "Am I too old for cars, Finnie?"

Finn only smiles shyly, avoiding to answer.

Hanna laughs.

Caleb finally takes out the bathing suit from the bag. "Oh! Just what I needed! Thank you, Finn!" He gives the little boy a brief hug, tapping his back very gently before pulling away.

Then he stands up and approaches Hanna.

Caleb "Thanks, babe." He plants a kiss on her forehead. "It's a very nice bathing suit. Love the color." He shoots her a smile.

Hanna smiles back. "I'm sorry I just got you such an ordinary present. I meant to get you something more thoughtful, but I didn't have the time…" She lies.

Caleb "It's okay, babe. I needed a new bathing suit, and I'm running out of new ideas to give you thoughtful presents on every occasion too. It's fine. I really like it. Thanks!"

Hanna "You are welcome, sweetie." She pecks his lips. "Happy birthday."

Caleb takes her face in his hands and places another kiss on her mouth.

Hanna "I'll go start preparing the snacks and dips. The guys will start arriving soon. Watch Finnie, please."

Caleb nods, stealing another kiss from her before letting her go.

/

Spencer and Toby are the first ones to arrive, wanting to be there early since their son is already there.

Caleb answers the door, and they head for the living room, where Finn rushes to them with a huge smile on his little face, clutching his toy cars. Caleb's face lights up with a smile as well, finding Finn's excitement upon seeing his parents extremely cute.

Toby "Hi, buddy! I missed you!" He tells his son, picking him up in his arms.

Spencer takes the chance to kiss the kid's cheek. "Did you behave well, Finnie?"

Caleb "He behaved like a champ!"

Finn grins and proudly shows Toby his new cars. "Look what Awnt-tee Han-na got me, dad-dy."

Toby "Oh, Auntie Hanna got you some new cars? That's awesome, buddy! Did you remember to say thank you?"

Finn nods.

Hanna walks into the living room. "Of course he did. He's the politest little boy in the world."

Spencer chuckles. "Yeah, not for too much longer, you're spoiling him."

Hanna "No, I'm not. He earned those toys fair and square, right Finnie? He behaved way too well at the mall."

Spencer smiles. "Thanks for taking such good care of him, Han."

Hanna smiles back. "You don't need to thank me, I love spending time with him."

Caleb "Want some beer, guys?"

Toby "Yeah, I could use a beer."

Toby and Caleb make themselves comfortable on the couch, enjoying their beers while keeping an eye on Finn, who stays entertained with his cars. Spencer offers to help Hanna in the kitchen.

Spencer "Where do you keep the bowls?"

Hanna "In the second cabinet next to the fridge." She instructs. "Can I talk to you about something, Spence?" She asks, while placing some mozzarella sticks in an air fryer.

Spencer "Sure." She says, getting some bowls.

Hanna "But it's something very private. You can't tell the others… I just... It's something very intimate that I haven't even discussed with Caleb, but… Since you seem to know about everything, I could really use your opinion..."

Spencer nods understandingly. "Of course, Han."

Hanna sighs. "I quit my birth-control pills a few months ago…" She starts, setting up the fryer to get the sticks ready in some minutes. "But nothing happened yet, and I'm starting to wonder if there's something wrong…"

Spencer "When did you quit them exactly?"

Hanna "In November. It's been like six months already."

Spencer "It's not that much time, Han. Getting pregnant is not that easy. I mean, of course, there are people who have unprotected sex once and get pregnant, especially teenagers." She rolls her eyes. "But it takes time sometimes."

Hanna "Yeah, I know... but... We've been having a ton of sex. I just don't understand why I'm not pregnant yet. Seriously, so much sex... I've also been eating right, not skipping meals, haven't touched a cigarette in a year... And I read somewhere that his sperm can survive up to five days in my body. Seriously! How the hell am I not pregnant yet?"

Spencer "Hey, relax, Han…" She shoots her a sympathetic smile. "First off, steer clear of the internet because not everything you read there is accurate. Secondly, doctors usually suggest trying to conceive for about a year before considering fertility testing. But it wouldn't hurt to schedule a checkup with your doctor just to make sure you're on the right track. A preconception checkup could be helpful too. But seriously, take it easy, Han."

Hanna "Yeah… I guess I could make an appointment."

Spencer "And don't stress yourself out. That only makes getting pregnant more complicated."

Hanna nods. "Yeah, I know… I'm not overly stressed about this. It's just that… I really thought I was pregnant this time… I kind of felt it in my body. So when I took the test this morning and it came out negative, I felt so disappointed. I had to focus on my designs and force myself to work right away to keep from crying."

Spencer "What made you think you were pregnant? Did you miss your period or something?"

Hanna "No… I mean, I don't know. My periods have been a mess since I quit the pills. They aren't regular anymore. It was just a feeling, I guess."

Spencer "Well, that's a very good reason to make an appointment with your doctor then, Han. You can't calculate when you are ovulating properly if you aren't sure about your periods."

Hanna nods. "Yeah, I know."

Spencer "So you haven't talked about this with Caleb? He hasn't asked you any questions? I mean, if you are trying for a baby, he must want to know if it's working… I don't get why you didn't tell him about the test."

Hanna "He doesn't even know we're trying for a baby, Spence."

Spencer "He doesn't know?" She asks, very surprised.

Hanna "Nope… I wanted it to be a surprise."

Spencer "Han, having a baby is a decision you need to make together, you can't just-"

Hanna "No, you don't get it. We've talked about it many times. He wants a baby. It was me who was postponing it. So he told me that I could quit the pills anytime when I felt ready. That's why I wanted to surprise him with the big news… Actually, I was hoping I could tell him today, on his birthday. I knew it would have made him so happy… But I'm not pregnant."

Spencer "Oh, okay, then…" She says, understanding Hanna's point now. "But I think you should tell him now, Han. I mean, since you couldn't surprise him on his birthday, you can just tell him now. You shouldn't go through this alone, and… it's very nice to do it together."

Hanna "Yeah… I could really use his support… I'll think about it."

Emily enters the kitchen, carrying Lily in her arms, interrupting their conversation.

Emily "Hi, guys!"

Spencer "Hey there!" She smiles.

Hanna "Hey, Em!" She grins. "Hi, Lily! You look so good with that tiara."

Lily grins. "It's pwincess Lily, auntie Hanna." The little two-year-old girl corrects her, causing Hanna and Spencer to laugh.

Lily has become remarkably fluent in her speech for her young age, speaking even more words than Finn, who is a few months older than her, and also more than her twin, Grace.

While the twins look identical physically, they couldn't be more different in personality. Lily is a firecracker, full of sass and spirit. Grace, on the other hand, is a little more reserved but oh-so sweet and affectionate.

But they share one thing in common: they're both head over heels for Caleb. Especially after one Friday evening, while being looked after by Hanna and Caleb, they discovered Caleb's inability to refuse their requests when they decided it was the perfect opportunity to give Caleb a makeover with their toy makeup kit. He couldn't resist their puppy-dog eyes and ended up with his face covered in glitter.

Hanna "Oh, I'm so sorry your highness! How are you today, princess Lily?"

Lily grins again. "Vedy well, auntie Hanna. You fogiven."

Hanna chuckles. "Thanks, princess Lily!"

Spencer "I'll take these to the living room, Han." She says, grabbing a couple of bowls filled with snacks.

Hanna "Okay, thanks, Spence."

Emily "How can I help?" She asks, placing Lily down on her feet.

Hanna "Wanna hand me the olives from the fridge?"

Spencer makes her way to the living room, where she finds not only Alison and Grace but also Jason, sitting with Caleb and Toby.

Spencer "Hi, everyone!" She greets them with a smile as she places the snacks on the coffee table. "Babe, wanna help me bring some extra glasses?" She asks Toby.

Caleb "I'll go get them, Spence." He says, leaving his beer bottle on the coffee table.

Spencer "Oh, no. It's your birthday, don't worry." She insists and gives Toby a meaningful look.

Toby "I've got this, bud." He tells Caleb, standing up himself.

Spencer and Toby head toward the kitchen, but Toby senses that something is up because of the look Spencer just gave him.

Toby "What's up?" He asks her as they walk.

Spencer "Here." She takes his hand and guides him to the dining room instead.

Toby "Oh, it is something serious…" He comments, sensing the gravity of the situation. "Am I in trouble for something?"

Spencer chuckles. "No, you're not. I just wanted to talk to you for a second, in private."

Toby "What's going on?"

Spencer "Nothing, I just… We need to postpone our little announcement for a little while longer."

Toby stares at her, a bit confused.

Spencer "I'm just not ready yet." She offers an excuse.

Toby "What do you mean you're not ready? You're already three months along, the genetic test was perfectly fine, we had another ultrasound this afternoon, everything is perfect."

Spencer sighs. "I can't tell you why. But trust me, tonight is not the right time."

Toby doesn't seem convinced.

Spencer "Let's just wait for a couple of days, besides… I would like to tell Finnie first, in private."

Toby nods understandingly. "Okay, I guess I can wait a few more days…"

Spencer smiles. "Thanks, honey." She pecks his lips. "Go get those glasses now." She grins.

Toby smiles back.

/

Aria and Ezra arrive shortly after, accompanied by their one-year-old son, Dante. He's a quiet baby, much like Grace, but tends to stick close to his parents as they've been somewhat overprotective since his birth. Dante's a happy kid though, and he's always curious about everything around him, although he's a bit cautious too. Unlike the other three children, he's not as at ease around Chocolate, but he's slowly getting used to him, still being careful when attempting to pet him.

With everyone already there, Caleb's intimate birthday celebration starts. They all hang out in the living room, making themselves comfortable on the couch, the armchairs and a couple of bean bag chairs. A special place has been arranged for the little kids, with a blanket spread out on the floor, some cushions, and a bunch of toys brought by their parents. The wide coffee table is full of snacks and dips, some beer bottles and glasses. Toby and Caleb have brought in an extra table, placing pizza boxes and other drinks on it, out of reach of the little children.

Hanna "Does anyone need anything else?" She asks, after placing an extra couple of bowls with some chips on the coffee table.

Caleb "No one needs anything else, Han." He reaches out for her hand from the armchair where he's seated and pulls her onto his lap. "Come here."

Hanna settles onto his lap, and Caleb's free arm immediately wraps around her waist. He's holding a beer in his other hand.

Caleb "Want some beer?" He offers his bottle to her.

Hanna hesitates for a moment, but given her negative pregnancy test result that morning, she decides to allow herself to enjoy some beer, taking the bottle from Caleb's hand and taking a few sips before handing it back to him.

Emily "This guacamole is delicious, Han." She says, digging a chip into the green dip from the bean bag chair where she's sitting.

Hanna chuckles. "Tell Toby, he prepared it at home… I only served it."

Emily "So good, Tob!" She compliments him now.

Toby "Thanks!" He shoots her a smile.

Lily approaches Hanna and Caleb.

Lily "Come play with us, uncle Caweb."

Alison "Leave uncle Caleb alone, Lil. Go play with your friends, baby." She tells her daughter from the couch.

Lily "But I need a pwince."

Hanna laughs. "But uncle Caleb is my prince. Ask Finnie."

Lily "Finnie's playing with Gwacie."

Hanna "Dante?"

Lily "Pooped himself." She makes a disgusted face.

Everyone laughs.

Aria "I'll go check his diaper." She says, standing up, addressing Ezra.

Caleb "I'll play with you later, Lily."

Lily pouts.

Caleb looks at Hanna.

Hanna sighs and is about to stand up from his lap, but Alison stands up herself and takes Lily's hand.

Alison "It's Caleb's birthday, baby. And he wants to be with the adults and auntie Hanna." She patiently explains to Lily, leading her away. "Maybe uncle Jason can be your prince."

Jason gives Alison a look.

Lily "Uncle Jason no fun."

Caleb is about to stand up again, and Emily notices it.

Emily "Don't worry, Caleb. We are trying to set some limits anyway… Lily got Ali's manipulation skills." She chuckles. "We better stop her now."

Jason "Yeah, for Gracie's sake, you better stop the monster now that she's only two."

Alison gives Jason a death glare.

Jason "I just don't want Gracie to have to put up with the same as I did. Admit it sis, you were a pain in the ass while growing up…"

Alison "Yeah, I know. I gave you that look for calling my baby a monster. She's not a monster, she's a princess, right, Lily? Let's go get you a prince." She says, leading her back to the blanket with the rest of the kids. "Look, that teddy bear looks like a fine prince, doesn't he?"

Emily "Where's Chocolate?" She suddenly asks Hanna.

Hanna "He's upstairs in our room. He wasn't feeling too well in his stomach."

She lies, not wanting to admit that she felt a little nervous about Chocolate's recent odd reactions and having so many people in their house, especially the kids. So she opted to just leave him upstairs.

Emily "Oh, poor buddy… Hope he gets better soon."

Hanna "Yeah, he wasn't that bad, anyway. We just left him there to rest and be quiet."

Ezra "So, Emily, you're leaving the guys at the office?"

Emily "Oh, yeah… I'll be Rosewood High's new swimming coach." She grins. "I'm sad to leave my buddies, but… I'm so excited!" She grins.

Caleb smiles too. "We'll miss you at the office, Em!"

Toby "It won't be easy to find a replacement for you…" He tells Emily.

Emily "Yeah, you won't find someone as patient as me to put up with your stupid jokes at the office." She playfully teases as Grace approaches her and climbs onto her lap, sitting with her in the bean bag chair. "Want some pizza, Gracie?" She asks the little girl, offering her a bite from her slice.

Grace opens her mouth and takes a big bite.

Emily "But you'll figure it out." She shoots Toby a smile.

Hanna "I'm so happy for you, Em! You'll be back at your beloved pool! So many memories!"

Emily "Yeah! I know!"

Alison "I miss those days when we used to go there to cheer you up during competitions."

Spencer chuckles. "Yeah, and Hanna would even cheer for her when she wasn't even in the pool."

Hanna "Hey! I used to get distracted very easily! But at least I was there for her."

Alison laughs. "You were there to flirt with Sean more than to watch Emily swim."

Hanna smiles. "Can you blame me? Sean was quite the distraction back then!"

Caleb "Hey, Lily! Still need a charming prince? I'm available now." He jokes.

Hanna laughs. "He was just a distraction, but I've got the best now." She turns to the side, placing a kiss on Caleb's mouth.

Caleb "Yeah, you better." He gives her a playful smirk.

Hanna smiles and pecks his lips again.

/

Caleb spends a lovely birthday with his closest friends, Hanna, and their little nieces and nephews. Especially while blowing the candles surrounded by all the little kids, having to relight them several times so each child could have a turn. Little Dante received a bit of extra help from Caleb but was just as thrilled as his older friends after his accomplishment, clapping his tiny hands in excitement.

Once everybody leaves, it's just Caleb and Hanna again.

He enters the kitchen after taking Chocolate out for a walk.

Hanna "How did he behave this time?" She asks Caleb while finishing putting away some glasses.

Caleb "Perfectly well. He seemed as relaxed as always. We even ran into a very nice couple, and he let them pet him." He tells her while putting away Chocolate's leash.

Hanna "Well, that's a relief."

Caleb "Yeah." He approaches her, placing his hands on her hips. "Now that everyone's gone, how about we celebrate my birthday in a more... intimate way?" He suggests, leaning in and starting to kiss her neck.

Hanna gently pulls back. "Hmm, maybe we should take it slow tonight, Caleb. I'm feeling a bit tired, you know?" She gives Caleb a soft smile.

Truth is, she's still a bit affected by the negative test from the morning, which is why she isn't exactly in the mood for sex at the moment.

Caleb smiles back. "Oh, yeah, of course." He says, a bit surprised, as Hanna is usually up for sex. Lately, he's found her more demanding than ever, making it a bit challenging for him to keep up with her pace sometimes.

Hanna "I'll be right up, I'm almost done here." She pecks his lips.

Caleb "Can I help you with something?" He asks, letting go of her.

Hanna "Would you mind taking out the trash?"

Caleb "Sure."

/

Half an hour later, Caleb is already in bed when Hanna emerges from the bathroom and joins him.

Caleb "You got Chocolate a new bed? I just saw it in the hallway."

Hanna "Oh, yeah. Finnie and I made a stop by the pet store today at the mall." She tells him, getting into bed.

Caleb "Looks very comfy."

Hanna "Yeah, I'm sure he'll like it." She hovers over Caleb, placing her arm on the mattress for support and her other hand on his shoulder, while leaning in for a romantic kiss.

Caleb places his hands on her waist, responding to her kiss.

Hanna "Did you enjoy your birthday?" She asks him, moving to his neck now and giving him a lick there before beginning to place open-mouthed kisses all over his skin.

Caleb "Very much."

Hanna "Good." She says against his skin. "Because I'm planning on making you finish it even better." She goes down on him, kissing his chest now.

Caleb "Hanna, babe." He says, moving his hand to her face, attempting to gently push her away. "It's fine. We can do it tomorrow… I know you aren't in the mood. I can tell."

Hanna looks at him. "I might not be in the mood for sex myself, but I surely want to do something for you." She shoots him a smile and goes even lower, placing another kiss on his stomach now.

Caleb "You don't have to."

Hanna "But I want to." Placing her hands on each side of his hips now, she gets her fingertips underneath the waistband of his boxers. "I'm very much in the mood for this." She adds, placing another kiss on his bulge through the fabric of his underwear.

Caleb "Well, you are very welcome to do it, then." He says, completely turned on already.

Hanna pulls his boxers down, uncovering him. "I want you in my mouth." She makes eye contact while taking him in.

Caleb "Hanna…" He groans, cupping her cheek, as she starts sucking on him. "Just like that, babe."

Hanna pulls back for a moment. "Happy birthday, sweetie. I love you so much." She says before resuming her task.

/

One week later, it's Saturday afternoon, and Caleb is busy cleaning the pool in the backyard. It's been months since they last used it, so he's checking the water heater and cleaning it up. Meanwhile, Hanna decides to take Chocolate for a walk herself.

Chocolate hasn't had another incident during the week, so Hanna feels relaxed as usual while walking him. She decides to take him to the park for a little while to enjoy the beautiful day.

She takes the dog to their usual spot in the park and sits down under a tree, with Chocolate lying down next to her. Hanna takes out her phone, keeping the handle of Chocolate's leash around her wrist.

A little while later, she's still engrossed in her phone, scrolling through Instagram stories when suddenly, Chocolate jumps up and starts barking at someone, pulling at his leash and causing Hanna to drop her phone.

Chocolate lunges toward the person he's barking at, and before Hanna can react, he snaps at him, tearing a hole in his Bermuda shorts and causing Hanna to fall to the ground as she tries to hold him back with the leash.

Hanna "Stop it, Chocolate!" She commands from the ground.

She struggles to control him, pulling on the leash with both hands.

Fortunately, Chocolate doesn't continue to attack the man, as he's stronger than Hanna and she wouldn't be able to stop him. However, the dog continues barking and growling, showing his teeth.

The man glares at Hanna, his fists clenched at his sides. She can tell how angry he is because of his troubled expression.

Guy "What the fuck, girl?" He spits out, his voice coming out with fury as he examines the tear in his Bermuda shorts. "Control your damn dog!"

Hanna's chest tightens with fear, her hands trembling as she tries to calm Chocolate down. "Chocolate, please! Stop it now!" Her voice wavering.

Guy "You shouldn't bring such an aggressive dog to a park full of children!" He yells at Hanna, taking a few steps away from them.

Hanna "I'm so sorry, he's not usually like this. He-"

But the man interrupts her, threatening. "Leave before I do something about your stupid dog."

The man turns and storms away. Chocolate calms down slightly, but he remains vigilant, keeping his eyes on the man's movements. Hanna takes the opportunity to stand up.

Hanna "Enough, Chocolate!" She commands, tugging at the leash. "I mean it!"

With her whole body shaking, Hanna retrieves her phone and calls Caleb, tears streaming down her face, hoping he'll answer quickly.

Caleb "Hey, what's up?" He answers after a few rings.

Hanna "Can you pick us up at the park?" She says right away.

Caleb "Of course, Han! I'll be right there… What's up baby? You okay?" Concern evident in his voice.

Hanna "Chocolate tried to bite someone. Please, hurry!" She asks him, her voice choked with tears.

Caleb "Be right there, Han!"

/

Only a few minutes later, Caleb carelessly parks his car and exits quickly, knowing exactly where to find Hanna.

Caleb "Hey!"

Hanna "Thank god you're here!" She rushes to him, crying harder.

Caleb takes Chocolate's leash from her hand, and she wraps her arms around his neck right away, needing some comfort.

Hanna "It was horrible, terrifying." She sobs.

Caleb "It's okay, I'm here." He reassures her, wrapping his free arm around her. "What happened?"

Hanna "Nothing, he attacked a guy completely out of the blue. I hadn't even noticed the guy until he was already snapping at him."

Caleb "But he didn't actually hurt anyone, did he?"

Hanna "No, he didn't. Thank god he didn't keep trying to bite… I wouldn't have been able to stop him."

Caleb "Let's get him in the car." He says, pulling away from her.

Hanna wipes her tears.

Caleb "You're still shaking, baby." He comments, taking her hand.

Hanna simply nods.

Caleb releases her hand and chooses to wrap his arm around her shoulders instead, holding her, as they walk to his car.

Caleb gets Chocolate in the backseat and then turns to Hanna.

Caleb "Need another hug?"

Hanna nods.

Caleb pulls her into his arms. "It's okay. We were lucky nothing really bad happened." He kisses her forehead. "Try to calm down."

Hanna "I'm worried about Chocolate, Caleb." She starts sobbing again. "Something is wrong, he's not my sweet buddy anymore."

Caleb "We'll figure this out, Han. Whatever is going on with him, we'll get to the bottom of it." He promises her. "Is the guy he tried to bite still in the park?"

Hanna "I don't know."

Caleb pulls away from her. "Do you remember what he was wearing?"

Hanna "Not really, but if he's here, you'll recognize him. Chocolate messed up his shorts."

Caleb nods. "Wait in the car, baby. I'll see if I can find him and apologize."

Hanna "Okay." She simply says.

Caleb wipes her tears before opening the door for her.

/

Hanna "So?" She asks Caleb, more calm now, when he gets in the car a few minutes later.

Caleb "He was pretty pissed, but he understood. I apologized and offered to pay for his shorts, but he didn't accept the money."

Hanna sighs. "I'm taking Chocolate to the vet on Monday… Can you come with me? I don't want to take him out on my own again."

Caleb "Of course, babe. We'll handle this together." He says, starting the car. "Are you feeling better?"

Hanna "Not really… I'm so sad… I love him so much, but I'm really upset right now. I still can't believe he almost bit someone… and look at him now, he's all relaxed in the backseat taking a nap, like nothing had happened, like he's the same as always."

Caleb "We'll figure this out, Han. Let's just go home and relax for a bit."

/

On Monday morning, Hanna and Caleb pay a visit to Chocolate's vet.

When it's their turn, they step into the examination room.

Vet "So, what brings you here with Chocolate this time?" He asks, recalling that Hanna brought the dog to the clinic around a month ago for his shots.

Caleb "He's been acting very strange lately, having odd reactions."

Vet "Odd reactions like what?"

Caleb "Aggressive reactions."

Hanna "He snapped at people. And that's not like him, he's always been so sweet. He's especially careful and gentle with little kids. I've always made fun of how much he sucked at being a guard dog. It doesn't make any sense."

Vet "Okay, let me take a look at him."

The vet starts examining Chocolate on the floor, as he's too big for the exam table. He checks his eyes, ears, mouth, joints, conducting a thorough physical examination. He also tests his hearing and sight.

Vet "Well, he seems to be perfectly healthy, guys. Dogs sometimes get aggressive when they can't see or hear properly anymore, because they feel insecure and anxious. But Chocolate looks fine. I'm pretty sure it's just a behavioral issue. I'd like to ask you some more questions."

Caleb "Sure."

Hanna simply nods, her eyes becoming glassy.

Caleb places his arm over her shoulders and pulls her closer to him, offering support.

The vet takes a jar. "Want a treat, buddy?" He asks Chocolate, getting his full attention. "Sit down."

Chocolate complies and happily accepts the snack.

Vet "Did you guys notice any other strange behaviors in him?"

Caleb "No…" He says, thoughtfully.

Hanna "Actually... He used to sleep in his own bed, in the hallway next to the door to our room. But lately, he's been sleeping in our bedroom... for a few weeks now. I thought he didn't find his bed comfortable anymore, so I got him a new one, a very comfy one, but he still doesn't use it. At least not during the night."

Vet "In a specific place in the bedroom? Or just anywhere?"

Hanna "Hmm... just on the floor... by my side."

Vet "Next to you?"

Hanna nods.

Vet "And those times when he reacted aggressively. In which situations did that happen?"

Caleb "While going on walks, he snapped at strangers a couple of times. But there was one incident at home. It was very strange because he actually snapped at me. I had just come home, and he was in a deep sleep. It took him a moment to recognize me."

Vet "Who did he go with during those walks?"

Hanna "With both of us once, and only with me the other time."

Vet "And he was asleep next to you in your bedroom, as you told me before, when he snapped at your husband?" He asks Hanna.

Hanna "No, I was asleep on the couch with my nephew, and Chocolate was napping on the floor next to us in the living room."

The vet nods. "Let me try something... You go to that side of the room." He instructs Caleb. "And you go to the other side, Hanna."

Chocolate immediately follows Hanna.

The vet approaches Caleb, touches his shoulder, and nothing happens. Then, he walks toward Hanna, and before he can even get close to her, Chocolate stands protectively in front of her, blocking the man's way. Though he doesn't growl, his position is clearly defensive.

Vet "Well, that's it, guys. He's just being protective of Hanna."

Caleb "Why? He's never done something like that before." He asks, walking back to Hanna.

Vet "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to get personal now... Hanna, are you pregnant by any chance?"

Hanna's eyes widen.

Caleb's gaze shifts to her immediately.

Hanna feels the weight of their gazes as she tries to formulate an answer. "I… I don't know…" She says hesitantly.

Vet "Well, that could be a very good cause for his behavior. Dogs can sense pregnancies, even before their owners know about them. It sometimes affects their behavior. They get too attached to the pregnant woman and can become overprotective. Anyway, I'll give you guys the number of a very good animal behavior specialist for a consultation. An ethologist."

Hanna "What's an ethologist?" She asks, intrigued.

Caleb doesn't speak, still astonished by the potential cause of Chocolate's aggressive behavior.

Vet "A specialist in animal behavior. Like a dog trainer, but they're also vets, so they have medical knowledge too." He explains. "This guy will be able to tell you what to do, give you some tips to correct Chocolate's excessive protectiveness toward you, whatever the reason may be."

Hanna nods.

/

Caleb gets into the car after securing Chocolate in the backseat. Hanna is already in the passenger seat. Caleb hasn't said much more than a couple of words since the vet suggested the possibility of Hanna being pregnant as the cause of Chocolate's overprotectiveness. Probably still in shock, he remains still in his seat, without even turning on the engine.

Hanna stares at him.

Finally, after a few seconds of complete silence, Caleb looks at her.

Caleb "Do you have anything to share with me?"

Hanna sighs. "I stopped taking my pills a few months ago." She finally confesses, bluntly.

Caleb "So, is it possible that... you are pregnant?" He asks, still confused.

Hanna "I don't know… I mean…" She looks away. "I took a test a week ago. On your birthday. I thought it would be nice to surprise you with such news on your special day, but… I got a negative result." She looks back at him, his expression still serious, making it hard for her to read him. "Are you mad? I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, I just wanted it to be a surprise."

Caleb smiles. "Of course I'm not mad… I just…" He takes her hand. "I wasn't expecting this at all. I'm a bit shocked, honestly." He chuckles nervously. "That's surely something you don't expect to hear when you bring your dog to the vet."

Hanna smiles back.

Caleb "Wanna go get a test?" He suggests, caressing her hand. "I'd like to find out."

Hanna "I actually have a bunch of them at home, babe... Well, not so many now, because I've been taking some these last months. But I must still have a couple of tests left at home."

Caleb "I can't believe you've been keeping this to yourself for so long. When did you stop taking your pills?" He asks, intrigued, still smiling.

Hanna "Like a month before Christmas… I thought it would be a great Christmas present for you, but I took a test on Christmas Eve, and it came out negative. The chances were slim anyway, I mean, it was just a month... I took another test in February, thinking I might be able to surprise you on Valentine's, but it couldn't be possible either. And well, my third attempt was your birthday last week... I was planning on waiting until our anniversary in a few weeks and see if it could be my present for you then."

Caleb chuckles. "How far were you willing to go with this on your own? Until my fortieth birthday, maybe?"

Hanna smiles amusedly. "No, I was actually going to talk to you if I didn't end up pregnant by our anniversary. I… I'm starting to get a bit worried that something might be wrong, I mean… I should be pregnant by now."

Caleb "Well, you might be now…"

Hanna "Let's go home to find out."

Caleb leans in and plants a very tender, long peck on her lips. "Now I get what all that sex was about." He jokes.

Hanna laughs. "What do you mean? We've always had a lot of sex."

Caleb "Yeah, but… the fourth round? That was crazy." He comments, finally turning on the engine.

Hanna laughs again. "Are you complaining about having too much sex with your wife?"

Caleb "Never." He places a kiss on her cheek before pulling out of the parking space. "I was just saying that now I understand why you were so demanding... But I'll be happy to have as much sex as you want. Especially if it's to make our Haleb baby."

Hanna smiles widely, resting her head on his shoulder.

/

Caleb is sitting on the edge of their bed when Hanna emerges from the bathroom.

Hanna "We need to wait five minutes." She tells him, settling onto his lap.

Caleb "The longest five minutes of my life." He chuckles, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Hanna "I just set a timer." She says, leaving her phone on the bed and placing her hands on each side of the base of his neck. "Wanna make out until the alarm goes off?" She suggests, a happy smile on her face.

Caleb leans forward and brushes his lips against hers. "I'd love to."

Hanna opens her mouth, capturing his lips with hers. She can feel Caleb's arms tightening around her as she parts his soft lips with her tongue. Moving one of her hands to the back of his neck, she starts to scratch her fingernails against his nape as their kiss becomes more passionate.

Kissing their time away works because, before they know it, Hanna's phone lets them know that the test results are ready.

Caleb pulls away from her mouth. "Let's find out the truth." He grins.

Hanna smiles back and reaches for her phone to stop the alarm. "You go get it." She tells him, shifting from his lap to the bed.

Caleb "Are you sure?"

Hanna nods.

Caleb stands up and goes to check on the test. Only a few seconds later, he emerges from the bathroom.

Caleb "Are you sure you took it properly?" He asks, a plain expression on his face.

Hanna looks at him confused. "Yeah, I've taken many pregnancy tests already. I know how to do it… Was it negative?"

Caleb only nods, sitting next to her.

Hanna's bottom lip starts quivering as her eyes fill up with tears.

Caleb "It's okay, baby." He pulls her into a hug. "We'll keep trying." He says, rubbing her back.

Hanna rests her head on his shoulder while hugging him back. She's thankful he knows about everything now because this negative test result hurts even more than the one she took on his birthday. Actually, each negative result gets harder to accept than the previous one.

Hanna "What if there is something wrong?" She asks him, already crying silently.

Caleb "Hey, don't jump ahead, baby. Let's take this easy, okay?"

Hanna "I made an appointment with my doctor next week."

Caleb "Okay, that's good. I'm coming with you."

Hanna "Thanks."

Caleb places his hand on her head, stroking her hair gently. "Everything will be fine, Han."

Hanna "What about Chocolate? If I'm not pregnant, what the hell is wrong with him?"

Caleb "We will make an appointment with that specialist his vet recommended. Don't worry about it either."

Hanna "Gosh, I really thought I might be pregnant this time." Her frustration and sadness are evident in her trembling voice.

Caleb "Chill, Han… our Haleb baby will arrive sooner or later, however it has to be."

Hanna "What are you saying?" She pulls away from him.

Caleb "That there are more than just one way to become parents, but let's not jump to conclusions just yet. Let's take it easy and just enjoy this moment. I mean… trying for the baby is the fun part, right?" He smiles at her, wiping her tears.

Hanna lets out a deep breath, calming down.

Caleb kisses her forehead. "Wanna watch a movie?" He suggests.

Hanna "Not really." She says, moving away. "I just need to lie down for a moment. Don't you have to get to work?"

She makes herself comfortable on the bed, covering herself with a blanket.

Caleb "Probably, but since I'm my own boss, I'll just stay home with my wifey right now…"

Hanna "It's fine, you don't have to. I have to go to work too anyway. I'll leave in a little while."

Caleb "Okay, I'll stay with you until you leave then. I just need to take a pee first." He says, standing up from the bed. "But I'll be right back for some cuddles." He adds, heading for the bathroom.

A couple of minutes later, Caleb returns from the bathroom, holding the empty package of the test Hanna just took.

Caleb "Babe, when did you get these tests?" He asks her as he approaches the bed.

Hanna sighs. "More than a year ago... when we were planning to try for a baby the first time. They were on sale, so I bought many. Figured we would need them."

Caleb "These tests are expired, Han." He says, sitting on the edge of the bed again. "That must be the reason they were on sale. They were probably about to expire when you got them."

Hanna sits up. "What do you mean they're expired?"

Caleb "They expired last year, Han."

Hanna "Oh, I didn't know these things had an expiration date." She confesses, a bit surprised.

Caleb "Neither did I, but I just checked the package and found out."

Hanna "Do you think it could affect the results?"

Caleb "I have no idea, but they have an expiration date for a reason... Is it okay if I go get another test? Are you willing to take it again?"

Hanna looks down.

Caleb "It's okay, don't worry." He reassures her. "Let's just lie down together for a while."

Hanna lies back down, and Caleb joins her, wrapping his arm around her waist, facing her.

Hanna "I'm sorry, I just…"

Caleb "It's okay, Han." He presses a kiss against her mouth.

Hanna "These tests are more accurate with the first morning pee anyway, so-"

Caleb "Hey, don't worry. You don't need to explain yourself." He interrupts. "How about I pick up some other tests on my way home from work today, and you take another one whenever you're ready?"

Hanna nods.

Caleb "I love you."

Hanna "I love you too."

She moves her face closer to him, the tips of their noses touching, and closes her eyes, relaxing for a moment. Caleb closes his eyes too, rubbing her back softly, just being there for her.

/

It's noon when Caleb finally arrives at the office. Emily isn't there because starting that day, she is working from home, covering the minimum tasks, giving Caleb and Toby a hand until they find a replacement for her, as she prepares herself to start her new job as Rosewood High's new swimming coach in a few days.

Toby "Oh, you decided to finally show up!" He teases, coming out of his office.

Caleb "Yeah, something came up…" He simply says, heading for his office.

Toby follows him in there. "Everything alright?" He asks as Caleb takes out his laptop from his bag.

Caleb nods.

Toby "You sure? You seem a bit off today." He casually takes a seat in the chair across Caleb's desk.

Caleb "Yeah, just had an intense morning, that's all."

Toby "Wanna talk about it? I've got a few minutes before my next meeting."

Caleb stares at him, hesitant.

Toby "You know whatever you tell me won't leave this office, man."

Caleb sits down in his chair. "Hanna and I took Chocolate to the vet because he's been acting weird lately. Turns out he was just being overprotective of Hanna, and the vet asked her if there was a chance she was pregnant. That's how I learned she quit her pills months ago."

Toby "She quit her pills and didn't tell you?" He asks, a bit surprised.

Caleb "Yeah, but that's not the point. I mean, we had talked about it many times. She knew I was okay with it. Actually, I've been wanting to start trying for a baby for a while, but… I didn't know how to bring it up again without making her feel pressured to do it for me."

Toby nods.

Caleb "Well, this morning we took a test and..." He pauses, pursing his lips.

Toby "Ah, got it. Tough break, man. But hey, it's not the end of the world. These things take time."

Caleb "Yeah, I know… But she's been getting negative results, and she's starting to get worried. She got really upset this morning... She also had taken a test on my birthday too. I thought something seemed off with her that day, but I just assumed she was tired or something."

Toby "Well, that helps me put some pieces together too." He suddenly says.

Caleb "What do you mean?" He asks, confused.

Toby "Spencer's pregnant. We were going to tell you guys about it when we got together on your birthday, but Spencer took me aside and asked me to wait a little longer."

Caleb "Oh…" He only says, getting Toby's point.

Toby "Yeah, Hanna must have told Spencer about all this."

Caleb "Well, I would really appreciate it if you guys could wait a little longer to share the news. I mean, I'm sure Hanna will be very happy for you two… but…"

Toby "Yeah, sure. Don't worry, buddy."

Caleb "Thanks."

Toby "There's just one problem."

Caleb stares at him.

Toby "We already told Finnie. I'm not sure how much he caught on, but… He might mention something about a little sibling…"

Caleb smiles tenderly finding extremely cute the whole situation of Toby and Spencer sharing the big news with their little son. "Don't worry, it's okay if he slips it out. As I just said, Hanna will be thrilled to hear the news, especially if she hears it from Finnie. I just… we have an appointment next week, so she might feel more at ease after talking to her doctor. But if she learns about it earlier, it's fine, man. I'm just thankful to Spencer for not telling everyone right on my birthday… that would have been hard for Han. But really, don't worry."

Toby nods. "Okay…" He says, checking the time on his phone. "I'll have to leave you now." He adds, standing up from the chair.

Caleb "Oh, wait!" He says, standing up and approaching him. "Congratulations on your new baby, bud!" He pulls Toby into a hug. "Such great news!"

Toby grins. "Thanks, man." He says as they pull away. "I'm so happy." He places his hand on Caleb's shoulder. "I'm sure you and Hanna will follow right after us. You guys deserve it more than anyone."

/

Caleb comes back home after work and is greeted by Chocolate at the front door.

Caleb "Hey, buddy!" He pets his head with his free hand, holding a plastic bag in the other.

Chocolate only stays there for a few seconds before turning around and heading back to the living room.

Caleb follows him there, finding Hanna lying on the couch, barefoot, clad in leggings and one of his hoodies. Her legs are bent, and she has one of her sketchbooks placed against them as she draws.

Caleb "Hey there!"

He places the plastic bag he brought on the coffee table and then sits on the edge of the couch. Chocolate lies down nearby on the floor.

Hanna "Hey!" She shoots him a slight smile.

Caleb "Working on a new design?" He asks, resting his arm on her bent knees.

Hanna "Yeah, just giving it the final touches." She tells him, putting her sketchbook aside and sitting up. "Are those the tests?" She asks, gesturing toward the plastic bag he just left on the coffee table.

Caleb "Yeah, those are the tests. Checked the expiration date. They're fine." He takes her hand.

Hanna "Okay, I'll take one in the morning."

Caleb "Whenever you want." He gives her a smile, playing with both her engagement ring and her wedding ring, making them spin around her finger. "Wanna get changed and go out for dinner? I could really use a steak from the Grill…" He suggests.

Hanna smiles back. "I know what you're trying to do, and I appreciate it. But I'd rather just stay here at home." She wraps her arm around his neck.

Caleb "Okay." He kisses her lips. "What are you in the mood for? I'm making dinner."

Hanna "Surprise me."

Caleb smiles. "I'll check what we've got in the fridge."

Hanna connects their mouths again in a soft kiss before releasing him. "Okay, I'll get back to work on this." She says, lying back again and retrieving her sketchbook. "Can you take Chocolate out later? He hasn't walked today. I only took him out to the backyard earlier."

Caleb "Sure, I'll just walk him now for a little while before getting started with dinner." He tells her, standing up.

Hanna "Thanks, babe."

Caleb "No problem… Actually, I'd prefer that you didn't walk him on your own anymore. At least until we get some help and find out what's really going on… and how to deal with it."

Hanna simply nods.

Caleb "Let's go, buddy. Wanna go for a walk?" He says to the dog, but Chocolate only stares at him from the floor and doesn't stand up.

Hanna "Come on, Chocolate! Wanna go out?"

The dog now stands up and stares at Hanna.

Caleb "Let's go, buddy!"

Still focused on Hanna, Chocolate ignores Caleb again.

Caleb sighs. "I'll just go get his leash." He tells Hanna before disappearing down the hallway.

/

Later that evening, Caleb heads to the living room after finishing cooking.

Caleb "Dinner's ready!" He announces, stepping into the living room.

He finds Hanna sound asleep, with Chocolate lying on the couch between her legs, his torso half on top of Hanna, resting his head on her stomach. Hanna's hand is resting on top of his head, as if she fell asleep caressing him.

Caleb grins and approaches them. Kneeling down before the couch, he leans in and, still smiling, starts kissing Hanna's lips gently.

Half asleep, Hanna turns her head to the side, moving away from him.

Caleb "Dinner's ready, baby." He tells her softly, nuzzling her cheek.

Hanna yawns. Caleb pulls back, his grin still intact on his face.

Hanna "Oh… I just fell asleep." She says, opening her eyes and meeting his happy expression. "Why are you smiling like a creep?" She frowns.

Caleb chuckles. "It's nothing." He kisses her lips again. "I'm just too happy."

Hanna "About what?" She sits up, stretching her arms.

Caleb only smiles widely.

Hanna "Seriously, I'm this close to punching you. I'm not that patient when I just woke up."

Caleb "I'm sorry, I'll try to smile a bit less." He jokes, standing up and offering his hand to her. "Let's just go eat dinner."

Hanna "Get up, bud!" She tells Chocolate while stroking one of his ears. "Let's go."

Chocolate gets off the couch, and Hanna stands up as well, ignoring the hand Caleb is still offering.

Caleb "Are you mad at me for waking you up?" He chuckles, following her to the kitchen.

Hanna "No, I just woke up in a bad mood, and your stupid smile isn't helping."

Caleb "Well, you can treat me like crap, but I must warn you, it'll only make me smile more. Reminds me of the start of our relationship."

Hanna "Okay, then, how about we just stay silent?" She says, opening the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water.

Caleb continues smiling but opts to comply and doesn't say another word. Already sitting at the kitchen table, he grabs a dish to start serving the food.

Hanna approaches the table too, and still standing, she pours her glass with water. "Do you want some wine?" She asks Caleb.

Caleb "Weren't we staying silent?"

Hanna rolls her eyes. "Fine, you are just having water then." She pours his glass as well.

Caleb laughs, grabbing the other dish to serve it as well.

Hanna gets some napkins and joins him. As he lays the second dish on the table, she casually sits down on his lap.

Caleb "Oh, you're sitting on my lap just like that?" He comments, wrapping his arm around her waist.

Hanna "Yeah, this way I don't have to see your annoying smile from across the table." She grabs the fork that Caleb placed on the other side of the table for her and loads it with some food from his dish.

Caleb "Thought you liked my smile."

Hanna "Oh, I do. Just not when I'm in a bad mood and you're being annoying." She starts eating.

Caleb "I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be annoying, I swear."

Hanna "I know." She kisses his cheek. "It's just a talent of yours when I'm in a bad mood. You can't help it."

Caleb chuckles.

Hanna "Mmm… this is delicious, babe." She tells him, taking another bite.

Caleb "Glad you like it." He kisses her shoulder. "I put extra cheese for you."

Hanna "Yeah, I can taste it."

/

Morning after.

Caleb's alarm goes off, and he sleepily reaches for his phone, silencing the annoying sound. Blinking sleep from his eyes, he notices that Hanna is no longer beside him in bed. With a yawn, he finally swings his legs over the edge and heads into the bathroom.

Caleb "Morning, babe!" He greets Hanna, who is in the shower, as he grabs his toothbrush.

Hanna "Morning, sweetie!" She greets back.

Caleb can't help but smile at the sound of her voice, squeezing toothpaste onto his brush. "You seem to be in a better mood than last night, huh?"

Hanna's laughter echoes from behind the shower curtain. "Yeah, I am. But don't push it."

Caleb chuckles to himself, and starts to methodically brush his teeth.

A few minutes later, Hanna steps out of the shower just as Caleb is about to finish shaving, steam swirling around her as she wraps herself in a plush robe.

Hanna "Shower's all yours, babe." She grins, her cheeks flushed from the heat of the shower. "Hurry up, because I've been waiting for you to take the test and I won't be able to hold my pee for much longer."

Caleb's grin widens at the mention of the test. "Oh, right! Wanna take it now? I can shower after."

Hanna "No… I want to get changed first." She says, leaving the bathroom.

Caleb nods, his excitement bubbling beneath the surface. He quickly finishes shaving, his mind already racing with anticipation for what the test results might reveal. Though he's almost certain, the confirmation would mean everything to him.

/

A while later, Hanna turns off her hair dryer as Caleb finishes tying his shoes.

Caleb looks up with a gentle smile. "Ready now?" He asks, standing up from the edge of the bed, picking up a couple of packages from the bedside table.

Hanna lets out a nervous sigh. "Yeah, I really need to pee now."

Caleb approaches her. "Chill, everything will be fine." He reassures her, leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead. "Look, I've got two different tests." He hands her one. "This is just a regular one with the little lines… and this other one also tells you how many weeks."

Taking both tests, Hanna nods silently and heads for the bathroom.

Caleb sits back down on the edge of the bed.

Chocolate shows up and approaches Caleb for some pets.

Caleb "Let's find out if you're right, buddy." Caleb murmurs, his fingers gently stroking the dog's fur, which helps him calm down the anxiety he's feeling at the moment. "I'm pretty sure you're finally getting your human sibling soon."

While Caleb is still petting Chocolate, Hanna comes back.

Hanna "Well… here we are again." She says, settling down next to Caleb and absentmindedly joining in the petting.

Caleb smiles, but chooses to stay quiet.

They wait in a comfortable silence, the minutes ticking by slower than the day before when they took the chance to share some kisses while waiting. But Hanna is too nervous now, and Caleb knows it.

Hanna checks the time on her phone. "One more minute."

Caleb nods and swallows hard. Minutes ago, he was pretty confident about the test results, but now that the moment of truth is approaching, he's a bit afraid that things won't turn out as expected. He could handle a negative outcome himself, but he knows it would be heartbreaking for Hanna.

Hanna "Can you go check the results yourself again?" She asks, bringing him back from his thoughts.

Caleb "Sure." He replies, taking her hand. "Let me know when."

Hanna "Just go now, they might be ready sooner." She suggests, her nerves evident in her voice.

Caleb "Okay." He stands up.

Hanna takes a deep breath, trying to relax a bit.

Caleb reaches out and gives her a gentle caress on her cheek before heading for the bathroom.

Hanna's eyes remain fixed on the slightly open bathroom door. Only a few seconds later, Caleb comes back wearing the hugest smile on his face.

Caleb "Haleb baby is on the way!" He says, completely excited.

Hanna "Oh my god! Really?" She asks, a wide smile forming on her face too.

Caleb "Yeah! We've got two positive results in there!" He confirms.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Hanna stands up from the bed, tears welling up in her eyes.

Caleb "We are having a baby, Han!" He says again, wrapping his arms around her.

Hanna "We are having a baby!" She echoes, hugging him tightly.

They remain in the embrace for minutes, both overwhelmed by beautiful feelings, emotions, and thoughts. Holding each other while trying to assimilate the fact that they are fulfilling a dream, a shared dream. Hanna can feel Caleb's chest rising and falling against her body, his breathing a bit irregular, and a few soft sniffs give her the clue that just like herself, he's shedding some tears of joy too.

Caleb "Thanks, babe… This is the best thing that has happened to me since I met you! I'm going to be a dad!" He says after a while, still unable to believe it, his voice trembling with emotion.

Hanna "You'll be the best!" She assures him, planting a kiss on his cheek. "I couldn't have chosen a better dad for this baby."

Caleb "Same here, Han. I wouldn't have done this with anyone else in the world but you." He pulls back slightly and gazes into her eyes, his love evident in his expression.

Hanna grins through her tears, feeling overwhelmed with happiness.

Caleb moves his hands to her face, his touch gentle as he wipes away her tears. Leaning in, he kisses her so softly and slowly that Hanna can enjoy every brush of his lips against hers.

Caleb "I love you." He whispers, pulling back from her mouth.

Hanna smiles, noticing the trace of his tears. "I love you too."

Caleb "Can I say something now?" He suddenly asks, releasing her.

Hanna "Go ahead." She says, searching for a tissue in the drawer of the bedside table.

Caleb "I knew you were pregnant the moment I saw you asleep with Chocolate on the couch yesterday. Those tests were just a confirmation."

Hanna chuckles. "Why?" She asks, wiping her tears.

Caleb "Because I trust Chocolate's instincts more than your expired tests. And I realized you've been sleeping a lot lately. Plus, the way you treated me when I woke you up from that nap only made me more sure." He chuckles. "You seemed so pregnant to me, Han."

Hanna smiles. "So that was what your annoying smile was all about…"

Caleb "Yeah, I told you I was too happy."

Hanna "Why didn't you say something?"

Caleb "With your crappy mood? I feared for my life." He jokes, approaching her again. "Nah, I just didn't want to make you feel pressured to take another test just yet." He adds, getting more serious. "I'm so happy about this, Han." He places his hands on her shoulders. "I don't want to go to work."

Hanna grins. "Yeah, neither I do. I can't wait to tell everyone!"

Caleb grins too.

Hanna "But we should wait a little longer, at least until my appointment next week."

Caleb nods. "Sure."

Hanna "So? How many weeks?"

Caleb looks at her confused.

Hanna "The test, babe. How many weeks did it say?"

Caleb "Oh!" He smiles again. "3 plus, Han! So it's been at least three weeks, but it could be longer."

Hanna smiles widely. "Oh my god! I've been pregnant all this time!"

Caleb "Yep… and it seems like this buddy knew it all along." He says, stroking Chocolate's head.

Hanna hugs Chocolate. "I'm so sorry, baby! I got so mad at you… you were just trying to protect me." She kisses his forehead. "But it's still not cool to go around snapping at people, buddy."

Caleb "We'll make sure he understands it, Han. That professional his vet recommended surely will be able to help us out with some tips."

Hanna nods, letting go of the dog. "I still can't believe our Haleb baby is here." She slides her hand underneath her top, placing it on her stomach.

Caleb "It's real." He says, placing his hand on top of hers.

Hanna smiles again and starts another loving kiss.

Hanna "Oh! Wait a minute!" She suddenly pulls away from his mouth. "I can give you your actual birthday present now." She rushes out of their bedroom, excited to finally be able to show Caleb the actual customized present that she specially ordered for him weeks ago.

When she comes back, Caleb is sitting on the edge of the bed, so she sits next to him.

Hanna "I was planning on wrapping it in gift paper and giving it to you on your birthday to tell you the news… but… things happened." She says, sliding her hand into the big envelope made of wood paper that arrived in the mail some days ago.

Hanna takes out what appears to be a little piece of fabric, but then she unfolds it, revealing it to Caleb. It's a pale yellow tiny baby onesie, and it says 'Haleb baby' on the chest, in delicate white letters.

Caleb grins and takes it in his hands to have a better look at it. "This makes it all feel even more real, Han…" He looks back to her. "This is so adorable."

Hanna smiles. "Yeah, I know… it's so tiny."

Caleb "I want this to be the first clothes our baby ever wears."

Hanna nods. "I'll make sure to pack it for the clinic in a few months."

Caleb "Thanks, babe. I love your late birthday present. Means the world to me."

Hanna "You mean the world to me." She grabs his face and gives him another kiss.

---

Hi guys!

I took a few more days to update this time, but this long and very important chapter deserved extra attention, so I took my time to make sure it was good enough. And also, it didn't feel right to split it into two parts.

I'm dying to know what you think about it! Did you like the way I found for Hanna and Caleb to find out about the baby and the role that Chocolate took in it?

Haleb baby is on the way!