Monday.
Hanna and Caleb leave the clinic after the appointment. They walk hand in hand toward Hanna's car in the parking lot.
Caleb "We're on the final countdown, Han!" He says excitedly as they get into the car.
Hanna smiles but also lets out a deep breath, revealing her nervousness. "Yeah, we are…" She responds as she settles into the driver's seat.
All the details they just discussed with her doctor, such as what to watch for in her last month of pregnancy, tips for dealing with discomforts, the birth plan, and when to go to the hospital, have made her more aware that she's actually having the baby in only a few weeks. Everything feels more real, right around the corner, and her anxiousness along with some fears are also rising.
Caleb "I can't stop looking at this pic…" He says from the passenger seat, staring at his phone screen again. "She's perfect."
Hanna "Let me see it again." She leans closer to Caleb, resting her hand on his shoulder.
Caleb turns his phone so they can both look at the very clear 6D ultrasound picture of their baby girl.
Hanna grins. "She looks so cute. I can't handle her little hand pressed to her cheek, so adorable."
Caleb nods, smiling even wider.
Hanna sighs. "Hope she moves to the head-down position soon… I think a C-section scares me even more than a natural birth… Um… but a natural birth could lead to an episiotomy, and that sounds way worse than a C-section…" She straightens up in her seat and starts the engine. "Also, an epidural sounds awful too, I mean… a needle straight into my spine, ugh…"
Caleb "What exactly is an episiotomy?"
Hanna "Oh, you don't wanna know, believe me." She says, already pulling out with her car.
Caleb "Don't overthink it, Han. Either way, everything will be fine. Your doctor just said it, we need to see how things develop in these last weeks and what's best for you and the baby." He reassures her, placing his palm on her thigh.
/
After dropping Caleb off at his office, Hanna picks up Chloe at her place, and now they are both on their way to New York City.
Chloe "You can't not know this song, Hanna." She says after putting on a song on Spotify, as she's in charge of the music for their two-hour trip.
Hanna "I don't know it, Chloe. I swear. Never even heard of it."
Chloe "Ugh, what happened to you? You used to be cool."
Hanna smiles, still focused on the road. "I still am cool."
Chloe "Well, you do appear in fashion magazines, so… guess you are."
Hanna chuckles.
Chloe "So, how did your appointment go? How's little Haleb baby girl doing in there?" She makes conversation.
Hanna smiles. Chloe, being the inventor of the term 'Haleb' is the only one who has referred to their baby like that besides, of course, herself and Caleb.
Hanna "Everything's perfect with our little one. She has a name now… Caleb and I haven't shared it on our IGs yet, but we decided on her name a bit more than a month ago… She's Hallie."
Chloe "Oh my god, really?"
Hanna "Yeah, do you like it?"
Chloe "Yes, it's cute. Besides, it sounds good, I mean, 'Han and Hal'! Sounds perfect!"
Hanna laughs.
Chloe "You've got such a dreamy life, Han… are you aware of it? I mean, you're doing great in your career, you're actually living off what you love doing, you have like the perfect husband, he's hot as hell but also not an actual jerk like most guys, he's actually nice and thoughtful, and you're having a baby with him! And I'm pretty sure that girl of yours will be just cute as fuck! Seriously, like one of those perfect kids from the ads."
Hanna grins. "Thanks, Chloe! Yes, of course I know how lucky I am to be living this present, but still… things are never as perfect as they seem from the outside. There are always some ups and downs, but yes, of course, I value all those things you just mentioned. But hey, are you okay? Do I sense some resentment towards men in your words, maybe?"
Chloe "Yeah, well, they are all idiots, selfish little idiots. You just caught the last decent guy on earth yourself."
Hanna shoots Chloe a brief sympathetic smile before focusing back on the road. "Wanna talk about it? Is it about Zeth?"
Chloe "Mostly, yes."
Hanna "What happened? You seemed so in love last time I saw you two together… at my wedding. You guys were even among the last to leave."
Chloe "That was more than a year ago, Han. Things changed so much since then… We just fell out. He stopped loving me at some point but didn't have the balls to break up with me, so I had to do it myself and…" Chloe's voice cracks as her eyes get teary. "I broke my own heart because he didn't even bother to do it himself. He's just an immature jerk who only cares about his stupid video games and his pothead loser friends. Don't be surprised if he shows up at your door again in a couple of years offering to walk Chocolate, because I doubt he'll graduate from college."
Hanna "I'm really sorry to hear that, Chloe. It sounds like you've been through a lot." She reaches over and gives Chloe's hand a gentle squeeze before taking her hand back to the wheel. "You deserve so much better than that. Breaking up was the right move, even if it hurts now. You'll find someone who truly appreciates you."
Chloe "Yeah, I went out with a couple of guys… but… I don't know, they are all the same. And it's not easy to be with someone else after being with Zeth for so long."
Hanna "They aren't all the same, Chlo. I dated some jerks myself before finally meeting Caleb… and maybe you aren't ready to start dating again… focus on yourself and what makes you happy. Don't jump into another relationship just yet. Take your time to heal… love will come when it does. You are still so young, have some fun!"
Chloe smiles a little. "You are still cool, Han." She reaches out and places her hand on Hanna's baby bump. "You are lucky, Halls, you've got a cool mama."
Hanna grins, her eyes on the road.
/
It's past 11 p.m., and Hanna is already in bed in the hotel room she booked. Despite the long, busy day she's had, she's still wide awake. Caleb hasn't arrived yet, and the last text she got from him was three hours ago when he asked for the hotel address, but he never texted her back after she sent it. She also tried calling him a while ago, but it went straight to voicemail.
Feeling a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach, Hanna shifts uncomfortably, her baby bump making it hard to find a comfortable position. Her back aches, and she feels a slight cramping sensation that she tries to ignore.
She decides to text Ashley in an attempt to ease her anxiety: "Hey, mom! Did Caleb drop Chocolate off at your place? He hasn't arrived yet, and he isn't answering his phone either. I'm getting worried."
After only a couple of minutes, she gets a reply from her mom: "Hey, hon! He dropped him off this afternoon, but he still had to take care of a few things before leaving. I'm not sure what time he left for NY. Don't worry, I'm sure he ran out of battery or something."
Hanna tries to calm herself, but the discomfort intensifies. She texts Toby, hoping for more information: "Hey, Tobs! Do you know what time Caleb left Rosewood? He should be here by now, and I'm getting worried."
Toby "Haven't seen him since noon, Han. But I see his car in your driveway. I'll go check."
Hanna "Thanks!"
Toby "He's not home, Han. I guess he just left his car here. I'll ask Jason and get back to you."
Hanna's worry escalates after finding out that Caleb's car is at their house but he's not there. With more intense cramping in her belly, she gets up from the bed and starts pacing the room, trying to alleviate the discomfort. She calls him again, but it goes straight to voicemail once more. Just as she's about to lose it, she hears a knock on the door and rushes to it.
Relief floods her body when she sees Caleb standing on the other side of the door.
Caleb "Do you always answer the door like this?" He teases Hanna, seeing that she's only in her panties and a loose crop top.
Hanna "Hey! I was worried sick about you!" She pulls him into a hug. "Why did you take so long? Why did you leave your car at home? How did you get here? What happened to your phone?"
Caleb "I'm sorry, I ran late." He apologizes, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "I took the bus, left my car so we can ride back to Rosewood together in yours on Friday. And my phone died a few hours ago."
Despite feeling more relieved, her physical discomfort is still there, but she fights to hide it, not wanting Caleb to feel guilty about worrying her. She forces a smile.
Hanna "I'll let Toby and my mom know that you're here." She says, pulling away from him.
Hanna takes her phone and gets back in bed as Caleb places his small carry-on suitcase on the two-seat couch in their room and retrieves his toothbrush from it.
By the time he emerges from the bathroom, Hanna is already sound asleep, or at least pretending to be. He undresses and, after turning off the lights, joins her in bed. Getting under the covers, he notices that Hanna has taken a cushion from the couch and placed it under the side of her baby bump for support. Carefully, he places his palm on the upper side of her belly.
Caleb "Hey, there." He whispers, addressing the baby. "I looked at your picture like a hundred times today, little one. Can't wait to meet you." He closes his eyes and brushes his fingers on Hanna's skin for a while before his tiredness wins and he drifts off.
Hanna opens her eyes after hearing his breathing slow and feeling his caresses stop, signaling he's asleep. She places her hand over his, feeling the comforting warmth, and takes a deep breath, hoping the cramps will go away soon.
/
Despite Hanna's restless night, her mood is quite blissful as she steps out of the shower, feeling the baby moving inside her bump, reminding her why she's enduring all the discomfort.
Hanna "Morning, baby!" She greets Caleb, coming out of the bathroom in her robe.
Caleb "Morning." He replies, his voice still sleepy.
Hanna smiles at him. He's sitting on the edge of the bed, halfway through getting up, just in white boxers, which, combined with his messy hair and sleepy face, make him look pretty hot to Hanna. She approaches and stands before him.
Hanna "Look, she's awake now." She takes his hand and places it on her lower belly, a little to the right where she feels the movements.
Caleb smiles. "Morning to you too, Hallie."
Hanna "I told Chloe her name yesterday…"
Caleb looks up at her, still smiling. "Did you also tell her that it came from 'Haleb'?"
Hanna "Of course not. That's our secret." She runs her hands through his hair, messing it up even more.
Caleb "May I?" He asks, already reaching for the belt of her robe.
Hanna nods, and he pulls it open. Despite Hanna's nakedness, Caleb only focuses on her bump. He rests his palms on each side and presses a noisy kiss to it. Then, he stays still for a moment, trying to feel the baby again, but doesn't have any luck.
Caleb "She isn't moving anymore, is she?" He asks, knowing Hanna can feel the baby better.
Hanna "Nope… She's still now. Her movements are different. I think she's running out of space in there. Sometimes I feel a little kick, like she's changing her position a bit, but not moving much."
Caleb nods and wraps his arms around Hanna, resting his cheek against her belly and yawning.
Hanna "I'll leave you the keys to my car in case you need it today. I left it in a parking lot two blocks from here." She continues caressing his hair.
Caleb "Okay… I don't think I'll need it anyway. I'll just work from here."
He doesn't turn down the keys, as they rarely use their cars while in NYC, preferring the subway or an Uber over dealing with traffic, so he knows Hanna won't use it either.
Caleb "Let me know if you want me to pick you up later." He still offers.
Hanna "Uh huh." She mutters, pulling away from him. "I need to get dressed." She tells him and pecks his lips.
/
It's noon, and Hanna is working in her office at the workshop. She's alone because Leo has gone to shop for some fabrics. She was supposed to go with him, but after her bad night's sleep and the cramps she felt the previous night, she decided to take it easy. Besides, she has tons of things to take care of at the office anyway, so dividing tasks seemed like the most sensible thing to do.
She checks the time and realizes she hasn't eaten in hours, and it's past her usual lunchtime. Standing up from her desk, she's about to leave but pauses to massage her sore back.
At that moment, Lucas shows up in her office.
Lucas "Hi, Han!"
Hanna smiles at him. "Hey! What are you doing here?" She asks, as he rarely shows up at the workshop.
Lucas "Do you have time? I'd like to discuss something with you."
Seeing his smile, Hanna assumes it's not bad news or something urgent.
Hanna "Is it about that meeting with the investors? I told your secretary I'd send her everything you asked for by the end of the day tomorrow. I can't have it earlier."
Lucas "No, it's not that… well, it's related, but…" He takes a seat in the chair across from the large desk Hanna shares with Leo. "Sit down, I'll explain."
Hanna "Um… I was just about to grab something for lunch. Wanna join me?"
Lucas checks the time on his watch. "I've only got like half an hour, Han… Gotta run to a meeting…"
Hanna "Okay, but I really need to eat something now. I'm starving…" She places her hand on her belly. "And I can't skip meals."
Lucas "Oh, yes. Of course." He stands up from his chair right away. "Let's go, then."
Hanna and Lucas walk to a little bistro a couple of blocks away.
Hanna "So, what did you want to talk about?" She asks Lucas once the waitress leaves with their order.
Lucas "I was thinking about rescheduling the meeting with the investors for a couple of weeks later and… instead of just a status meeting, turn it into more of a pitch meeting."
Hanna stares at him, confused, so Lucas decides to elaborate.
Lucas "While organizing the status meeting and working on the presentation, I realized we're doing great, Han. So, why settle for what we already have when we can do even better? Let's present the investors with a new expansion project and ask for more investment! I've done some research. We could get a factory here and stop outsourcing the mass production of your non-exclusive line. We could also open a few more stores, maybe in Boston and Philly, but I need to do more business research. We can discuss other options if you have any. The new stores would only sell the mass-produced dresses, and we'd keep your exclusive designs in the store here and in Rosewood. Also, moving the New York store to a better location is essential as-"
Hanna "Lucas!" She interrupts him. "Are you fucking crazy?"
Lucas looks puzzled.
Hanna "I'm eight months pregnant, for god's sake. Are you serious?"
Lucas "Yes, I know, Hanna. But what's the problem? It's not like you'd need to work on more designs. It would mean the same amount of work for you and-"
Hanna "I'm not doing it, Lucas. Let's stick to the status meeting you were already planning and that's it."
Lucas "But, Han-"
Hanna "Nope. There's no way I'm taking on such an expansion project right now. Expanding to New York was huge and took months of hard work. I can't go through something even bigger right now, and I don't want to."
Lucas "This would be different, Han… It's the same workflow, just with our own factory here instead of in China… And you wouldn't need to handle the new stores. We'd hire someone to set them up, copying the style of your store here and in Rosewood…"
Hanna "Lucas, what you're proposing means hiring a lot more people. It sounds huge… I still get nervous when there's someone new on Leo's team that I don't even know."
Lucas "We'd also build an HR department to meet the new needs of the business, Han. It won't be just Ross handling everything. Plus, we'll create other departments like PR and marketing. We'll stop outsourcing all of that."
Hanna sighs. "You're just making it sound bigger and scarier, you know?"
Lucas smiles at her. "You know I've always got your back, Han."
Hanna "I'll tell you what… I'm willing to discuss this again in a few months, maybe in a year. My priority is different right now." She rests her hand on her baby bump. "But I have one condition before I even consider a new expansion…"
Lucas "Shoot."
Hanna "You become my equal partner in this business. That's the only way I'd consider doing it."
Lucas "I've already explained, Han. For that to happen, I'd have to invest a-"
Hanna "I know, I know. But I don't care about money. I'd sign whatever legal document needed for you to own a bigger share without investing more. I don't want your money, I want your time and full attention. So it's up to you, Lucas. I know you love investing in video games and other types of businesses, but… if I ever expand, it would be with you a hundred percent involved. I can't have you working on other projects at the same time. Anyway, you have plenty of time to think about it, because like I said, there's no way I'm getting involved in such a project right now. My immediate future involves poopy diapers."
The waitress shows up with their food just as Hanna finishes her statement.
/
That evening, Hanna gets off the packed subway and walks the five blocks to the hotel, stopping by a drugstore on the way to pick up some pregnancy supplements she's about to run out of.
As soon as she steps into her hotel room, she flops down on the couch.
Hanna "Caleb?" She calls out, not wanting to take another step with her swollen feet.
Getting no response, she retrieves her phone from her purse and texts him: "I'm back."
She then texts her mom back, who has been texting her earlier, and notices a message from Spencer: "Check out the new addition to our family" along with a picture of Finn grinning from ear to ear while hugging a little dog.
Smiling, Hanna types: "OMG, Spence! About time you got Finnie a pup. Congratulations! They look adorable! What's his name?"
Hanna sets her phone aside and tries to kick off her sneakers. Her feet are so swollen that they won't come off easily, and bending down to untie them feels impossible. Instead, she lifts her legs and rests them on the armrest of the couch, letting her feet hang in the air as she lies down, resting her head on a cushion.
She closes her eyes for a moment, giving in to her tiredness, but her phone buzzes next to her. She picks it up and listens to Spencer's voice message: "Her name is Cookie, she's two years old, and we just picked her up from the shelter this morning. Toby and I had a consultation with a kids' therapist yesterday, and we mentioned we were thinking about getting Finn a dog. She agreed it would be good for him. She also said Finn's behavior is perfectly normal and gave us some tips. We feel much more at ease now. Anyway, how are you doing?"
Too tired to type, Hanna responds with a voice message: "Oh, I love her name! Cookie! She sounds like a perfect friend for Chocolate. Can't wait to meet her. Finn is such a sweetheart, Spence. Of course, it's normal for him to take time to adjust to his new baby brother. I'm glad you and Toby are at ease now. I'm doing well, just a bit tired… can't wait for this week to be over. I'm going to take a nap now. See you soon. Send Finn a kiss for me and tell him I love his new dog and I love him."
Setting her phone to "Do not disturb" Hanna puts it aside and shuts her eyes, needing to disconnect for a little while.
Her peace doesn't last long: about five minutes into her nap, Caleb arrives.
Caleb "Hey there!" He greets her, not realizing she's asleep, as he drops his backpack on the bed.
When Hanna doesn't respond, he looks at her and sees her staring at the ceiling.
Caleb "Are you okay?" He asks, placing his hand on one of her legs still hanging from the armrest of the couch.
Hanna nods.
Caleb "Did I wake you?"
Hanna "Yep."
Caleb "Oh, I'm sorry." He says, rubbing her leg.
Hanna "Can you please take off my sneakers?"
Caleb "Sure." He says, already reaching for one of her feet. "Wow, Han… your feet are really swollen again." He says, pulling her sock off as well to check on her foot.
Hanna "Yeah, I know."
Caleb removes her other sneaker and starts giving her feet a gentle massage.
Hanna "Where were you?"
Caleb "Working at a café around the corner. This room doesn't have a desk, and I didn't want to end up with a sore back from working all day on the bed or the couch."
Hanna "Oh, I'm sorry. I completely forgot to check that when I booked the hotel. I'll ask tomorrow if they have another room with a desk. Maybe they can move us."
Caleb "It's okay, it was nice to go out. How was your day?"
Hanna "Long. I worked at the workshop until lunch. Lucas stopped by to talk, so we grabbed something to eat, but he had to leave quickly for a meeting. Then Leo and I took the subway to the store. We've already put the new collection on sale, and I wanted to check it out… And since we were in the area, I took the chance to go to some other stores to see if I could find something to wear for the fashion show, but… I had no luck."
Caleb "Wasn't the plan to wear Aria's dress?" He asks, switching to massage her other foot now.
Hanna "Yeah, but I'll have to make a lot of adjustments to it. It doesn't fit me right." She sighs. "Just like I thought, Hallie fits just fine." She says, rubbing her baby bump. "Problem is my boobs…"
Caleb smiles. "They're never a problem." He teases.
Hanna "Yeah, well, I'll just show up with them hanging out of the dress then."
Caleb chuckles.
Hanna "Can you help me up?" She asks, extending her arms to him. "I need to pee."
Caleb lets go of her foot and helps her up. "So, what's the plan for tonight? Room service or restaurant?"
Hanna "Room service, please." She answers while heading for the bathroom. "Order for me? You know what I like... and what I can eat." She adds before closing the door.
/
Later on…
Hanna joins Caleb on the little couch. "We do need a bigger room. I'll definitely ask them to move us tomorrow."
Room service arrived a couple of minutes ago, and Caleb has placed their dishes on the coffee table in front of them.
Caleb "If I had known we'd be here for so many days, I would've just rented that apartment we stayed in when you were opening the new store here."
Hanna "Yeah, that would've been better. I'm sorry, I know this is a pain in the ass, coming here and there, packing suitcases, and all. But it's just a few more days…"
Caleb nods. "Don't worry about it."
They grab their cutlery and start eating, a task that's even more complicated for Hanna due to her bump.
Caleb "Is it good? Did I make the right choice?" He asks after Hanna takes her first bite of the chicken with vegetables he ordered for her.
Hanna nods while chewing.
Caleb turns on the TV, and they enjoy their meal in comfortable silence. He finishes his food first and leans back against the couch to relax.
Caleb "You look tired…" He reaches out and starts rubbing her lower back as she leans over the coffee table to continue eating. "Well, you always look tired lately, but today you seem even more so. And you're too quiet."
Hanna "Yeah, I didn't sleep well last night... and…" She pauses for a moment, putting her fork down on her still half-full plate. Eating in that position isn't comfortable, and she isn't very hungry anyway.
Caleb "And?"
Hanna leans back against the couch as well. "Lucas proposed something today that got me thinking a lot…"
Caleb rests his arm over her shoulders and pulls her closer. Hanna rests her head on his shoulder.
Caleb "What's he planning now?"
Hanna "A new expansion."
Caleb looks down at her.
Hanna "Don't worry, I told him he's nuts for proposing something like that while I'm eight months pregnant." She places her hands on her belly. "He wants to open a couple more stores and also buy a factory to start producing dresses here instead of in China."
Caleb "That sounds huge…"
Hanna "Uh huh… and scary…"
Caleb "But you're considering it, or you wouldn't be so pensive about it now…"
Hanna "I told Lucas we could discuss it maybe in a year. But I also told him I'd only consider it if he becomes my equal partner and commits fully to our business. So I don't know if he'll still want to do it."
They fall silent for a couple of minutes.
Hanna "So? What do you think about it?"
Caleb "I agree with both of you. Expanding the business makes perfect sense. I get why Lucas proposed it. I mean, you're doing great, so why not? But the timing isn't right. And if you do expand, you'll need someone knowledgeable in business and finances to help you run a company that big, and Lucas is the right person for that."
Hanna "It makes me nervous... thinking about it... so many people working for us and depending on the success of the business. A bunch of complete strangers working for us... the risk of lawsuits and stuff like that."
Caleb "Don't think about that now, babe." He smiles and places his free hand on top of hers on her belly, intertwining their fingers. "You're worrying about things that might never happen. Besides, if you decided to expand the business, I'm sure Lucas would have you covered with a pretty good legal team. He would totally have your back."
Hanna "Uh huh, that's what he told me today." She closes her eyes.
Caleb "Let's get ready for bed. You really need to call it a day." He presses several kisses to her forehead.
/
Hanna and Caleb have been in bed for almost two hours now. During that time, Caleb has dozed off a couple of times but hasn't reached a deep sleep because Hanna is restless beside him. She's even gotten up twice to use the bathroom.
Now, she gets up for the third time in a short while. When she gets back into bed and settles her pregnant belly on a cushion, Caleb moves closer, wrapping his arm around her and holding her from behind.
Caleb "Hey, what's going on? You're really restless tonight." He asks softly, concern evident in his voice.
Hanna sighs, adjusting her position slightly. "I felt Hallie moving earlier, and it seems like she's crushing my bladder again. I've been pressing on that side of my belly to see if I could get her to move, but… she's just too comfy there."
Caleb gently rubs her arm. "I'm sorry, Han. That sounds really uncomfortable. Do you want me to get you anything? Maybe another pillow to help you get more comfortable?"
Hanna "No, I don't need another stupid pillow." She says, sounding a bit frustrated. "Just… move away. I'll have to get up to pee again in a little while anyway, and I'll just wake you up again."
Caleb "It's fine, babe. You're waking me up anyway with all that tossing and turning." He tries to joke, still holding her.
Hanna removes his arm from her body. "No, really. I need space."
Caleb finally moves away, understanding her discomfort and irritability. "Okay, just let me know if you need anything."
Hanna "Another bladder, that's what I need." She mutters, adjusting her position once again.
/
After another night of bad sleep, Hanna faces another day of hard work on Wednesday, trying to stay positive and keep in mind that once she gets through today, she'll have made it past the halfway point of the week. That means only two more days of work before her long-awaited weekend, which she plans to spend mostly in bed or on the couch, and maybe by the pool if the early-fall weather cooperates. It's not just the work that exhausts her, it's also the big city, the trips from the hotel to the workshop, and sometimes from there to the store. Although her store is only half an hour away from the workshop, heavy traffic often turns that into a full hour Uber trip, sometimes making her opt for the subway, which is less comfortable but much quicker. Not to mention the trip back to the hotel during peak hour, with all those people going back home as well.
Hanna "Please help me get rid of these things." She says as soon as she gets into their hotel room, gesturing toward her sneakers.
Caleb leaves his phone on the coffee table and stands up from the couch. "Hello to you too." He jokes.
Hanna "I'm sorry." She says, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "Hi, babe."
Caleb "Hi, baby." He replies, leaning in to peck her lips before crouching down in front of her. "So, I guess it'll be room service again... your feet don't look any better than yesterday." He comments, removing one of her sneakers.
Hanna "Oh, shit! I completely forgot to ask for a bigger room at the reception this morning before I left. I'm sorry. I'll call them now."
Caleb "It's okay, Han… we're leaving in a couple of days anyway."
Hanna "Yeah, but there's no way I'm eating at the coffee table again. Let's head down to the hotel restaurant for dinner later. It's still early anyway, and I could use a nap."
Caleb nods. "Yeah, me too." He says with a smile.
Hanna "I'm sorry I didn't let you sleep last night... but just for the record, it wasn't my fault. It was your daughter's and Aria's?"
Caleb chuckles. "Aria's? How so?" He asks amused, as he sits down next to her on the edge of the bed after removing her sneakers.
Hanna "Because I was sleeping just fine until she asked me the other day if I could still sleep at night. She jinxed it."
Caleb laughs softly and shakes his head. "I guess we can blame Aria for that one."
Hanna takes his hand. "Thanks for being here." She says suddenly, surprising Caleb with her words, and giving him a tender smile.
Caleb smiles back, squeezing her hand. Cupping her face with his other hand, he replies with a kiss instead of words. A soft kiss. But Hanna's lips part, and she kisses him back eagerly, making the kiss more passionate. Taking her free hand to the side of his neck, she starts rubbing her thumb back and forth along his jawline, feeling his raspy short beard under her touch, which she finds very sexy.
Caleb's breathing becomes heavier as they continue kissing. The almost three weeks without sex make it hard for him to handle such a lingering French kiss. He gently pulls back, resting his forehead against hers.
Hanna notices the desire in his eyes and his heavy breathing, understanding that he's stopping for her sake. She smiles softly, appreciating his thoughtfulness but feeling a slight pang of frustration.
Caleb brushes a strand of hair from her face and kisses her forehead. Both are aware of the reasons without needing to spell them out.
Hanna breaks the silence. "How about that nap we were talking about?" she suggests with a slight smile.
Caleb chuckles softly, relieved by her light-hearted approach. "Sounds like a plan."
They both lie down on the bed, Caleb wrapping his arms around her gently. Hanna adjusts her position, making sure her belly is comfortably supported by the cushion. She closes her eyes, trying to relax.
Caleb "Rest now, Han. We both need it." He whispers softly.
Hanna nods, letting herself sink into the comfort of his embrace. "I love you." She whispers back, already feeling the weight of exhaustion pulling her into sleep.
Caleb "Love you too." He replies, holding her close as they both drift off into a much-needed nap.
/
Later on at the hotel restaurant...
Caleb "So, what time and where do you need to start your day tomorrow? I'll drop you off."
Hanna "Around 9, 9:15 at the workshop. Are you sure? There's no need for you to drive me. I'll just call an Uber if my feet are still this swollen." She says, her gaze on her veggie soup as she stirs it.
Caleb "I'll drop you off and then head to Rosewood."
Hanna looks up at him immediately. "Oh, you have to go there tomorrow?"
Caleb nods. "I'll be back in the evening, just like I told you."
Hanna doesn't look so convinced.
Caleb "What's up, babe? Do you need me here tomorrow?"
Hanna shakes her head. "No, it's fine. Go take care of your things. Just… don't come back so late. I got really worried about you the other day."
Caleb "I can't promise anything, but if my day goes as planned, I might even be back to pick you up when you finish work. I'll keep you posted."
Hanna nods. "Thanks."
As Caleb digs into his pasta, he notices Hanna barely touching her soup.
Caleb "Isn't it good?" He asks, nodding toward her bowl.
Hanna "No, it's not that… I…" She makes a disgusted face. "I had a burrito for lunch and I'm still regretting it."
Caleb smiles and reaches out for her hand. "What happened, Han? Did you give in to the temptation of actual tasty food again?"
Hanna "No… Leo went out and got lunch for us while I was on the phone, and I didn't want to seem ungrateful. Plus, I didn't have time to get something else myself, and I didn't want to skip a meal because of this little one." She says, rubbing her belly. "So, I thought a burrito wouldn't hurt, but now I feel sick. My throat burns."
Caleb "I'm sorry you're feeling that way. Try sipping some water slowly. It might help ease the discomfort. And maybe avoid burritos for a while." He teases her, smiling and caressing her hand.
Hanna "I'm not letting Leo get my lunch again." She smiles back at him, despite her discomfort. "Do you mind if I go back to our room? I need to lie down…" She asks him softly, already standing up.
Caleb "Sure, babe. Let me get the check and I'll come with you."
He is about to stand up, but Hanna places her palm on his shoulder and gently stops him.
Hanna "No need. Stay here and enjoy your food. I'll be fine." She plants a tender kiss on his temple. "Just come up when you finish, really. Don't worry about me. I'll just turn in." She adds, caressing his hair.
Caleb nods. "Okay, I'll get you an antacid before coming up."
Hanna nods. "Thanks."
She gives him a gentle squeeze on his shoulder before walking away in her slippers. Yes, she wore slippers to the hotel restaurant, not giving an absolute damn about it, as they are the only shoes that don't hurt her swollen feet.
/
Next morning.
Hanna enters the office she shares with Leo after Caleb drops her off at the workshop.
Hanna "Morning, sweetheart!" She greets her friend warmly, tossing her purse on the large desk.
Leo looks up at her. "Morning, gorgeous, radiant mama-to-be!" He smiles cheerfully. "You seem a little more energetic today."
Hanna "Yeah, I slept better… or at least not as bad as the previous nights. I think I actually got five hours straight! Unbelievable!" She sits down in her office chair.
Leo "The woman from the modeling agency called. She'll be a bit late. Something about a last-minute meeting. But the models will be at the store on time for the fitting, and she'll join us later."
Hanna nods while taking her laptop from her purse. "Did you remember to let Camille know we're doing the fitting today? She should-"
Leo "Already did." He cuts her off. "She'll have the dresses ready by the fitting rooms, tagged with the models' names, and the shoes matching each dress. Everything should flow smoothly so it doesn't take us all afternoon."
Hanna "Great!" She shoots him a smile. "You're the best!"
Leo gives her a cocky smile. "I know, honey!"
Hanna grins.
A woman, one of the seamstresses from Leo's team, enters the room, dragging a tall rack with dresses.
Woman "Good morning, Hanna!"
Hanna "Good morning!" She glances up from her laptop for a moment, then refocuses.
Woman "Here are the dresses we got ready yesterday." She says, addressing Leo.
Leo "Great, thanks! I'll take a look at them in a moment."
The woman nods and leaves. Hanna stands up to check them herself.
Leo chuckles as he watches her from his seat. "Are you wearing Caleb's shoes?" He asks, amused, noticing the men's lace-up boots she's wearing.
Hanna looks down at her feet. "It was Caleb's idea. My feet are too swollen." She explains, a tender smile forming as she recalls Caleb's thoughtful gesture earlier that morning when he offered his own shoes after realizing how hard it was to fit her swollen feet into her own. "I think it was a great idea, they're more comfortable than my sneakers and… they actually look great with my outfit."
Leo nods in agreement. "You won the lottery with that guy, Hanna… hot as hell and an actual gentleman."
Chloe "That's what I keep telling her!" She shows up, joining the conversation just like that. "You better watch your man, Han. There's a whole line waiting for him if you ever let go, and Leo and I are at the front of it." She teases Hanna with a playful smile.
Leo "You got it, girl!" He agrees with Chloe, laughing.
Hanna "Hey! You two are fired!" She tries to sound serious but can't help smiling.
Chloe "Can't fire me, Han! I'm not starting until Monday!"
Hanna "And what are you doing here, then?"
Chloe "I overheard you were having the fitting for the fashion show today and I didn't want to miss it."
Leo "You can't fire me either, Han. You'll need me here when that pops." He gestures toward her baby bump.
Hanna rolls her eyes. "Okay, then keep away from my husband, both of you." She addresses them, then focuses on Chloe. "You know what happened to the last salesgirl who crossed a line with Caleb!" She raises an eyebrow at Chloe.
Chloe chuckles. "Don't worry, Han… he's too old for me anyway."
Leo "Someone working for you had the nerve to make a move on Caleb?" He asks, very curious. "How come I don't know this story?"
Hanna "And you won't know it either, you gossip!" She turns back to the rack, continuing to check the dresses.
Leo "Come on, Han!"
Hanna "Nope."
Leo "Chloe?"
Chloe "Forget it, I don't want to lose my job before even starting." She says to Leo, then looks at Hanna. "So, can I come with you to the fitting with the models?"
Hanna "Yes, of course you can, but it's not until this afternoon. You should have texted me."
Chloe shrugs. "I don't have anything better to do anyway."
Hanna "Did you find a place to live?"
Chloe "Not yet."
Hanna "And where have you been staying all these days?"
Chloe sighs. "At Zeth's apartment."
Hanna stares at her.
Chloe "He's not there. He'll be in Rosewood for a couple more weeks until he starts the semester. His mom said I could use the apartment in the meantime… I'm just staying there until I find something more permanent. I've already got in touch with a couple of girls looking for a roommate, but they won't be here until next week."
Hanna "Okay, just let me know if you need anything." She offers, noticing a trace of sadness in Chloe's voice.
Chloe nods as she starts checking out the dresses too.
/
Around an hour later…
Hanna "Ugh… Lucas is so annoying…" She says frustrated, her eyes on her laptop.
Leo "What does he want now?"
Hanna sighs. "Apparently, the report I sent him for the meeting with the investors isn't detailed enough and he's asking me to add like a million things… What part doesn't he get that the only thing I want to do is make dresses?"
Leo "Part of the job, Han… it can't all be fun."
Hanna "Chloe!" She says with a frown. "Stop it already!" She tells the girl who doesn't stop swirling in an office chair next to her.
Chloe "I'm bored!"
Hanna "What are you? Four?"
Chloe "Four and a half, actually." She playfully throws a comeback.
Hanna rolls her eyes. "Go out and find something to do, you're in New York." She tells her, her eyes still glued to the screen of her laptop.
Chloe "Can't I help you with that?"
Hanna "No."
Chloe "Why not?"
Hanna ignores her, still on her laptop.
Chloe pulls herself closer to Hanna in her chair. "That's your report?" She giggles.
Hanna continues ignoring her.
Chloe "It does look a bit… poor. Maybe you should-"
Hanna "Chloe, enough!" She snaps, finally looking at her with a fierce glare. "I don't need your commentary, and I don't need your help. Just go find something else to do and stop being a distraction. Now!"
Hanna's tone and piercing look make Chloe go silent. She stands up from her chair and leaves without another word.
Leo watches Chloe leave and then turns to Hanna. "Whoa, Han! That was a bit harsh, don't you think?"
Hanna sighs. "I know, I just… I can't deal with her right now. I've got so much on my plate, and I'm exhausted." She rubs her temples.
Leo "I get it, but she's just trying to help in her own way. Maybe cut her some slack?"
Hanna takes a deep breath. "You're right. I'll apologize later. I'm just so overwhelmed, and I really need to finish this ASAP."
Leo gets up from his chair and approaches her. "Okay, let's get through this report, and then we'll take a break. You need to take care of yourself too, you know." He places his hands on her shoulders and starts giving her a soft massage.
Hanna "Thanks, Leo. I appreciate it, but I can't afford to take a break... I have a meeting with the PR team about the social media coverage strategy for the fashion show, and it's…" She checks the time on her laptop. "In a bit more than two hours, but it's a twenty-minute trip by subway, so… I don't have much time."
Leo nods, taking a seat in the chair that Chloe was swirling around in before. "Let's get to work then!"
/
After finally sending Lucas a better version of the report, Hanna stands up from her chair and, after making a stop at the restroom, makes her way to the work area where Leo's team is working on the dresses. She finds Chloe sitting next to the woman who brought the finished dresses into their office earlier. Chloe seems to be helping her, hand-sewing some buttons onto a dress as the woman uses a sewing machine to assemble another one.
Hanna "Hey! You're still here!" She says, approaching.
Chloe simply looks up at her, but doesn't say a word.
Hanna "I'm sorry, I know I was too harsh with you earlier. I was a bit overwhelmed…"
Chloe nods. "It's okay, don't worry."
Hanna "Wanna come with me to my next meeting?" She offers with a smile.
Chloe's face lights up. "Sure!" She accepts, grinning.
Hanna "Great! We're having lunch right after, and then we'll head straight to the store to oversee the fitting."
Chloe drops what she's doing and stands up eagerly. "So, where's this meeting?"
Hanna "At the offices of the PR agency working for us, it's just twenty minutes from here. We're taking the subway." She explains as they walk away.
/
PR Manager "So, our strategy focuses mainly on real-time engagement with our followers: live updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interviews with the various public figures attending the event."
The meeting starts, and Hanna listens attentively to the presentation. Chloe sits next to her, excited to be part of such a professional meeting that covers both fashion and social media, two of her biggest passions. Also present are Lucas and a few other people Hanna doesn't recognize but assumes are from the PR agency.
As the meeting progresses, Hanna's attention starts to wane, and she feels increasingly sleepy. Half an hour in, the PR manager goes over the list of influencers and celebrities attending the fashion show and the planned interviews, as they align with the brand's image. Hanna is about to nod off when Chloe discreetly elbows her. Hanna gives her a grateful look and tries to refocus. However, her sleepiness isn't the only issue: she also really needs to pee. Just when she thinks the presentation is wrapping up, the PR manager passes the floor to another woman.
Hanna pulls back her chair and tries to stand up but winces slightly and sits down again.
Chloe "You okay, Han?" She whispers, noticing.
Hanna "Yeah, I think I just got up too fast." She whispers back and stands up again, more carefully, placing one hand on her lower belly. "Excuse me, I'm really sorry, but I have to run to another commitment. We have a fitting with the models." She places her hand on Lucas's shoulder. "The strategy sounds great! Lucas will update me on the rest later. Thanks, everyone! Let's keep up the great work!" She adds before leaving the room.
Chloe stands up and follows her.
Chloe "Hey! We still have plenty of time until the fitting…" She says, slightly confused.
Hanna "Yeah, I know. But I couldn't keep sitting there. I needed a break… and I really need to pee." She stops a young girl passing by. "Excuse me, where are the restrooms?"
/
Chloe "So, what's the plan now?" She asks as they exit the office building.
Hanna "Let's take a cab to the store." She says, walking toward the sidewalk to hail a cab. "We'll grab something for lunch there, and maybe I can find a quiet place to rest for a moment. I'm…" She pauses, then looks at Chloe. "Actually, let's take the subway again." She changes her mind.
Chloe "Wouldn't it be better for you to take a cab? You look tired…" She comments as they walk.
Hanna "Yeah, but… it'll take longer than the subway, and I don't think my bladder will hold that long."
Chloe "Well, at least they'll give you a seat…"
/
Hanna and Chloe are having lunch in a small break room at the back of the store where the salesgirls usually take their breaks. It has a water cooler, a little fridge, a tiny kitchenette with just a sink and a microwave, and a small table with a couple of chairs.
Hanna "This place is depressing. Remind me to upgrade it when I come back from having the baby." She comments, looking around.
They are sitting at the table eating salads.
Hanna "Maybe we can fit a little couch here."
Chloe "A couch? What for?"
Hanna "For naps, duh… like a nap couch. I could really use one right now."
Chloe chuckles. "I doubt it's a good business strategy to give your employees a place to nap, but since I'm not a businesswoman, I won't have an opinion."
Hanna "Yeah, well, you know what they say…" She pushes her salad aside, folds her arms on the table, and rests her head on them, closing her eyes. "Happy employees mean happy customers." She yawns.
Chloe "Aren't you going to finish your salad?"
Hanna "I'm not hungry." She keeps her eyes closed. "I only ate because I can't skip meals."
Chloe "Being pregnant kind of sucks, doesn't it?"
Hanna "It has its downs, yes, but I wouldn't say it sucks… although I might be a couple of days away from changing my mind about it. It's getting harder each day…" She winces slightly, shifting in her chair as a cramp hits her.
Chloe makes a disgusted face. "I'm never ever getting pregnant!"
Hanna "You almost did."
Chloe "Yeah, don't even remind me of that. Thank god it was just a scare… a big scare. Anyway, I'll never have a baby. It's not just the pregnancy, you actually have to take care of someone else for the rest of your life."
Hanna "You're still young, you might change your mind later, or not. It's okay either way, but… you don't have to decide anything yet…" Her voice gradually gets lower as she gets sleepier.
Chloe "Yeah, I doubt I'll change my mind."
Chloe decides to leave Hanna alone to rest, and Hanna is actually about to fall asleep in the uncomfortable chair when Camille, the store manager, enters the room.
Camille "Hey, Han!"
Hanna opens her eyes and looks at her without raising her head.
Camille "There's a woman here who claims to be Zendaya's publicist… would you like to see her? Or should I tell her you're not here and handle it myself?"
Camille usually deals with publicists or stylists of celebrities who come by the store, putting them in touch with Hanna or Leo to make arrangements for collaborations. But since Hanna is at the store this time, and this is a big deal, she wants to check.
Chloe "Did you just say Zendaya?" She asks, astonished.
Hanna raises her head now, a mix of surprise and excitement overcoming her exhaustion.
Camille nods.
Chloe "Holly shit, Han!" She says excitedly.
Hanna "Tell her I'll be right there." She says, smiling despite her fatigue and discomfort.
/
Later on.
The fitting is in full swing in the first floor of the store, with Hanna and Leo supervising.
Hanna "That dress needs to be taken in a bit at the waist. Make sure it fits perfectly." She tells a seamstress from Leo's team who has come from the workshop to assist and take note of any adjustments needed.
Seamstress "On it, Hanna." She says, using a pin to mark the dress the model is wearing.
Hanna "And the hem on this gown, let's raise it slightly. We don't want it dragging." She says, gesturing toward another model.
Another model emerges from a fitting room.
Model "This outfit is stunning, Hanna. I love it!"
Hanna "Thank you!" She smiles at her. "It fits you perfectly! No adjustments needed on that one!"
Model "And the shoes are also perfect." She adds, checking her reflection in a large mirror.
Hanna approaches the model but stops suddenly, wincing slightly.
Leo "Are you okay?" He asks, noticing her discomfort.
Hanna "Yeah, just some cramps. I'll be fine." She forces a smile.
Chloe "I'll get you a chair from the break room, Han. You've been on your feet too long."
Leo "Maybe you should take a break."
Hanna "I will, after we're done here."
/
The fitting is about to wrap up, with only a few dresses left to check. The models who have finished with their outfits are changing back into their clothes. Camille is organizing the dresses on two racks: one for those needing no modifications and another for those that will go back to the workshop for adjustments.
Hanna is sitting on the chair Chloe got for her, waiting for the next models to emerge from the fitting rooms. She starts to notice a change in the lively mood as some of the models begin whispering to each other, checking their phones, and giving her strange looks.
Leo notices too and looks at Hanna. Their eyes meet, and they instantly understand something is wrong.
One of the models finally approaches Hanna.
Model "Excuse me, Han… I… I have to leave." She hands Leo a dress she was supposed to try on next.
Hanna looks at her confused. "What do you mean you have to leave? We need you to try this dress today."
They watch as the rest of the models hang their dresses back and start gathering their things.
Leo "What's going on, guys?" He finally asks.
Hanna's phone starts ringing. Seeing it's the modeling agency, she answers immediately.
Hanna "Hello… Yes, I see. What's going on? We need to finish the fitting today so we have time to adjust the dresses… What do you mean you won't be able to do the fashion show with us?" She gets up from her chair and starts pacing. "Are you kidding me? You can't just take your models away. This is the most unprofessional thing I've ever heard… No, I'm not buying that. Tell me what's really going on. Maybe we can solve this. You can't just leave me hanging with so little notice. The fashion show is in less than two weeks… Look, if you leave me without models for this event, I'll never work with your agency again. I mean it… What? Are you kidding me?" Hanna's anger escalates. "Who the fuck does she think she is?... Yeah, I know how powerful she is, I've worked for her, but still… Fine, I don't need your stupid agency. You obviously can't be trusted. Fuck off!"
Leo "Did you just… tell the woman providing our models to fuck off?" He asks, surprised, approaching Hanna.
Chloe approaches too but, seeing Hanna's expression, decides not to say a word.
Hanna sighs. "Yes, I did. And nope, she's not providing models for us anymore."
Leo "What happened?"
Hanna "What am I going to do now?" She says, panicking as she realizes she has no models for her first big fashion show in just a few days. Her eyes fill with tears. "We don't have time to start over selecting models! Checking sizes again, another fitting… we even got shoes their sizes! This is a total disaster!"
Leo "Hey, calm down! What happened? Can we do anything to fix this? Want me to talk to this woman myself?"
Hanna "I want to throw up." She says, walking away. "This can't be happening."
Leo and Chloe follow her as she heads downstairs.
Chloe "Are you really going to throw up?"
Hanna "No, it's just a saying, but this makes me sick." She sighs again.
Leo "What happened, Han?" He insists.
Hanna "Claudia Greco. That's what happened. That fucking bitch!" She says while getting into the break room, followed by Leo and Chloe. "I hate her so much!" She adds, frustration and anguish evident in her voice.
Leo stares at her, prompting Hanna to elaborate.
Hanna "Apparently she found out we were working with the same modeling agency for the fashion show, so she called them and told them to either cancel our contract or she'd never work with them again!" She bites her bottom lip in frustration. "I hate that woman!"
Chloe "Do you know Claudia Greco?"
Hanna "I worked for her years ago. She's a total bitch. I'm sure she's doing this to sabotage me!"
She feels a sudden stabbing pain and bends forward.
Leo "Are you okay, Hanna?" He grabs her arm.
Hanna lets out a deep breath and nods, straightening up.
Leo "Let's calm down. We can fix this somehow."
Chloe "Sit down here, Han." She pulls back a chair for her.
Hanna sits down, feeling heart palpitations and a bit short of breath.
Leo crouches down before her. "Don't worry about this, Han." He says, placing his hands on her knees. "Go back to your hotel and rest. Tomorrow is another day. We still have time to find another modeling agency. We'll manage! No one's going to ruin this opportunity for us."
Hanna nods, trying to calm down and catch her breath. Chloe gently caresses her hair.
Chloe "You told me Caleb was going to pick you up today. Why don't you text him and see if he can come now?"
Hanna "He went to Rosewood. I'm not sure if he's back yet… but I'll text him."
Leo stands up. "I'll talk to the models, maybe they know something we don't."
Hanna "What's left to know? Claudia just screwed us over."
Leo "She made things complicated, but she won't get away with it, Han. We'll do great at that fashion show." He says confidently before leaving the room.
Hanna texts Caleb: "Hey, babe. Are you back in NY yet?"
Chloe goes to the water cooler and pours a glass of water, then offers it to Hanna.
Hanna "No, thanks, Chlo. If I drink that, I'll have to make like three bathroom stops before getting to my hotel."
Chloe nods and leaves the glass on the table. "Are you okay?" She asks, a bit worried.
Hanna "Yeah, I'm okay… my belly just feels tight." She says, touching her baby bump with both hands. "I just need to calm down."
Chloe "Your hands are shaky."
Hanna "I'm just nervous. Don't worry, I'm okay."
Chloe gives her a slight smile. "Okay, but let me know if you need anything. I don't want you to go into labor right here. I wouldn't know what to do." She teases, trying to lighten the mood.
Hanna smiles back.
She gets a text from Caleb, and as she reads it, her smile fades: "Still in Rosewood, baby. I'll hit the road in an hour or so. I'm sorry, I won't make it there in time to pick you up from work. Don't wait for me for dinner, but I won't get in as late as the other day. Love you."
A sudden feeling of overwhelming sadness hits Hanna, and she bursts into tears.
Chloe "What happened now, Han?" She asks, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Hanna "Caleb's still in Rosewood."
Chloe "Hey, it's okay. Don't worry!" She hugs Hanna from the side. "We'll take a cab to your hotel together… and we'll make as many stops as you need for the bathroom."
Hanna "Oh, Chloe, you don't have to do this." She says, wiping her tears. "Go take care of your things… or just enjoy the last days of your summer break. Don't worry about me. I can take a cab on my own."
Chloe "I have no things to take care of, Han, no money to enjoy any summer break, and I'm staying at my ex-boyfriend's apartment, which isn't nice for me. It just brings too many memories. Why do you think I stuck around with you all day? I loved spending the day with you doing cool stuff. Now, I'll make sure you and Hallie get to your hotel safe and sound." She takes Hanna's purse from the table. "Do you want to get going now? Or do you need a moment to recover?"
Hanna "Let's get going. I just need this day to be over."
Hanna gets up from the chair slowly and carefully.
/
It takes Hanna and Chloe about an hour to get to the hotel, but they finally make it without any bathroom stops, as Hanna manages to hold it. Still, as soon as they arrive in the room, Hanna hurries to the bathroom. After emerging, she convinces Chloe to leave, despite Chloe's insistence on staying until Caleb arrives. Chloe finally understands that Hanna needs to be alone to rest.
Knowing that if she falls asleep right then she'll likely skip dinner, Hanna orders room service for an early meal. She then lies on the bed, propping her swollen feet up on a pile of pillows and cushions, and keeps herself entertained with her phone to avoid falling asleep.
She gets a text from Caleb: "Is everything alright?"
Hanna realizes she never texted him back, so she responds immediately: "Yes, I'm back at the hotel already. I'll be waiting for you. Drive safe. Love you."
Caleb texts back right away: "I'm already on the road. See you in a couple of hours."
/
Caleb arrives at the hotel a couple of hours later. He quietly opens the door to their room and steps inside, finding it dimly lit. Hanna is lying on the bed, her feet still propped up on pillows, but she's not asleep. Instead, she's staring at her phone, her eyes red and puffy from crying.
Caleb "Hey, baby." He says softly, closing the door behind him.
Hanna looks up, her expression a mix of relief and exhaustion. "Caleb…" she whispers, her voice breaking.
He quickly crosses the room to sit beside her on the bed. "I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner. Things got a bit complicated at work." He says, taking her hand. "What's going on? Why are you so upset? Have you been crying?"
Hanna "It's just been such a horrible day." She says, her voice is trembling.
Caleb "What happened?" He asks, concern on his face.
Hanna takes a deep breath, and the words come tumbling out: the fitting, the models leaving, the confrontation with the modeling agency, and Claudia Greco's sabotage. As she talks, Caleb listens attentively, his face growing more serious.
Hanna "And then I just lost it." She says, tears welling up again. "I told the agency to fuck off, and now we have no models for the show."
Caleb "Oh, Han…" He says, stroking her hair gently. "I'm so sorry. That sounds awful."
Hanna "I just feel so overwhelmed." She admits, her voice barely a whisper.
Caleb leans in and kisses her forehead. "Right now, you need to rest. You've done everything you could today. I'm sure you'll find a solution tomorrow. You've been so strong, Han. You'll come up with something, I'm sure."
Hanna "Thank you." She whispers, pulling back slightly to look at him. "I take back what I said the other day… about you not having to be here in New York with me every single day when I need to be here. It's nice to have you here when I come back to the hotel and I need you. So… thanks for being so insistent on coming with me, and thanks for driving back and forth today instead of just staying at home in Rosewood."
Caleb "I'm here to support you, no matter what." He says, brushing a tear from her cheek before lying down next to her.
Hanna nods, her tears flowing freely now. Caleb wraps his arms around her, holding her close. For the first time all day, she feels a sense of relief and safety.
Caleb "I know you're exhausted. You've been working so hard the last few weeks…" He says after a while. "But you're really close to finishing the preparations for the fashion show. Today was just a setback. Tomorrow's a new day, and you'll tackle it with fresh energy."
Hanna manages a small smile. "Yeah, you're right… I'm not letting that bitch ruin this for me."
Caleb "Of course you won't." He says, kissing her softly. "Look, about what you said about needing me here… I left my laptop connected at my office because I had a program running and a file transfer uploading overnight. So… I have to go back to Rosewood tomorrow. But don't worry, I'll just pick up my laptop and head back here."
Hanna "Oh…" She says, a bit disappointed. "Are you sure? You'd be driving two hours just to get your laptop and then driving back here only to stay for a few hours until I'm done with work and we go back to Rosewood again… that's like six hours of driving, babe…"
Caleb "We have no other option, Han. You need to stay here and fix the problem with the models, I need my laptop, and… even if I left you the car and took a bus to Rosewood, you driving back on your own isn't an option either. Especially after a whole day of work. You've been ending your days completely worn out."
Hanna remains silent, trying to come up with something else, but she knows Caleb's right.
Caleb "It's okay, I don't mind driving six hours tomorrow. Really." He says, closing his eyes while rubbing her lower back. "You've been sleeping badly for nights, dealing with swollen feet, heartburn, a sore back… driving back here to get you is the least I can do. It actually feels small compared to all that." He opens his eyes to look at Hanna once more. "Now, how about we relax together for a while?"
Hanna nods, feeling a bit more hopeful. "That sounds perfect." She says, closing her eyes and enjoying this much-needed moment of peace and connection with him. "Thanks for being here." She repeats.
Caleb smiles and pecks her lips.
Hanna "Guess whose publicist stopped by the store asking for me today?" She smiles slightly, her eyes still closed.
Caleb "Um… give me a clue."
And just like that, Hanna's tears, anguish, and overwhelming feelings are eased by a playful, fun, and relaxed exchange with Caleb as he tries to guess which celebrity's publicist showed up at Hanna's store that afternoon.