Hanna wakes up the next morning, sunlight streaming through the hotel room's curtains. She stretches carefully, feeling the familiar twinge of back pain and the persistent swelling in her feet. She winces slightly but is determined to start the day on a positive note.
Caleb is still asleep beside her, his arm draped protectively over her. She gently moves his arm and sits up, feeling a slight cramp in her abdomen. She takes a deep breath and rubs her belly, trying to ease the discomfort and reminding herself to stay positive.
She quietly gets out of bed, not wanting to wake Caleb, and heads to the bathroom. After a quick shower, she changes into a comfortable outfit, puts on Caleb's laced-up boots again, and does her make-up. Once ready, she looks at herself in the mirror, a confident smile on her face despite her persistent physical discomfort.
Back in the bedroom, Caleb stirs and opens his eyes, blinking sleepily.
Caleb "Morning, Han." He says in that sleepy, raspy voice that Hanna finds so sexy. "How are you feeling?"
Hanna forces a smile. "Better." She lies, not wanting to worry him. She knows he has his own matters to take care of and won't leave for Rosewood otherwise. "Just a bit sore, but nothing I can't handle."
Caleb sits up, rubbing his eyes. "Are you sure? You looked pretty uncomfortable last night."
Hanna "Yeah, I'm sure. I just need to get moving and start the day." She says, more to convince herself than him, as she puts everything she needs for the day in her bag.
Caleb watches her for a moment, then nods.
Hanna "I'll go down and grab something for breakfast before leaving." She says, approaching the bed. "See you later." She gives him a noisy, loving kiss on the cheek.
Caleb "I'll text you when I'm back from Rosewood. I could find a café nearby where you are to work at, and then pick you up when you're done with your day."
Hanna smiles at him. "You can come to work in our office at the workshop, but I can't promise it'll be quiet enough for you to concentrate on your computer stuff."
Caleb smiles back. "I think I can handle yours and Leo's background chatter, but I'll let you know."
Hanna smiles again and kisses him goodbye. "Okay, let me know. I promise I'll try to keep it quiet if you come over… Although, there may be some yelling, intense phone calls, and maybe also a bit of cursing, because I'm getting some models for that freaking fashion show like my name is Hanna Rivers, aka Hanna Marin." She assures while grabbing her phone and her bag, ready to face the day head-on.
Caleb chuckles. "I love you."
Hanna "Love you too." She shoots him yet another smile before turning away.
As she crosses the door, her smile grows wider as she feels the baby moving in her belly, letting her know that despite her physical discomfort, her little girl is doing okay in there.
Hanna "Hey there, Halls! Hold onto your belts in there, little one! We have a long day ahead together!" She says, rubbing her belly as she goes down the hallway.
Hanna takes a deep breath, feeling a mix of determination and anxiety as she presses the button to call the elevator. As she steps into it, she can't help but feel a glimmer of hope that things will start to turn around.
/
Hanna gets off the subway at the station nearest to the workshop, grateful that someone gave up their seat for her. Despite sitting down for most of the ride, she still feels exhausted and achy from the crowded train. She makes her way through the crowd, her swollen feet and constant back pain making each step a challenge.
As she heads toward the exit, she looks for an elevator, hoping to avoid the long climb up the stairs. Her heart sinks when she sees the out-of-order sign on the elevator door.
Hanna "Just my luck…" She mutters under her breath.
Determined to stay positive, she starts the climb up the stairs. Each step sends a jolt of discomfort through her back, and she pauses occasionally to catch her breath. The cramps in her abdomen are more persistent, and she rubs her belly, murmuring reassurances to Hallie.
Hanna "Hang in there, little one. We've got this." She whispers.
By the time she reaches the street level, Hanna is out of breath and her legs feel like jelly. She leans against a railing for a moment, closing her eyes and taking deep breaths to steady herself.
She then resumes her walk to the workshop, each step showing how determined she is to get through the day.
Finally, she arrives at the workshop and heads to the office, pushing the door open with a mix of relief and determination. Leo looks up from a dress he's examining and smiles when he sees her.
Leo "Morning, gorgeous! Ready to get us some models?"
Hanna "Morning, Leo. Absolutely." She forces a confident smile despite the discomfort.
Leo "You okay? You look a bit pale."
Hanna nods, tossing her bag on the desk before flopping down in her chair.
Leo "I went over the modeling agencies we discarded before closing the deal with Vanguard Modeling Group… We could reconsider one of those and resume conversations… these two seemed pretty good." He says, handing a list to Hanna with a couple of agencies marked with a yellow highlighter.
Hanna takes a moment to check the list. "I don't think so… this one here, they had some bad press recently, I don't want to harm our own image by working with them… and this other one, I found their manager a bit… snobby, arrogant, and… I don't know, just bad vibes."
Leo "What about the others?"
Hanna wrinkles her nose and leaves the list on the desk. "How about we make some calls to… lower-profile agencies? I know I said I wanted to go big and work with one of the biggest agencies, and that I only wanted the best of the best, but… I'm sure smaller agencies are good too, and they'll treat us better as their clients than that stupid woman from Vanguard… vanguard my ass, it only took a call from Claudia for them to piss themselves and leave us hanging. I want to work with a modeling agency that is rising in the business, just like us."
Leo nods. "Okay, then… let's just start looking up."
Hanna "Yeah, we've got a lot to do, so let's get started!"
Chloe "Hi, loveys! Need my help?" She shows up.
Leo "Oh! Look who's blessing us with their presence, again!" He says in a sarcastic tone, teasing Chloe.
Chloe rolls her eyes. "You better get used to having me around, Leo. I'm Hanna's fav." She shoots him a cocky smile while approaching Hanna's chair and wrapping her arms around her shoulders, hugging her from behind.
Hanna smiles. "Yes, Leo, get your shit together, she's my protégé." She plays along. "What are you doing here again?"
Chloe "I wanna help with the models thing, please, let me stay. I promise I won't drive you nuts like yesterday."
Hanna looks at Leo to check with him.
Leo "I guess she can help us with a few phone calls."
Hanna "Okay, you can stay… but please, make sure Ross and Lucas don't learn about this, they'll kill me if they find out I'm letting you start the job before your contract starts, and I'll pay you for your work today. We need your help anyway."
Chloe grins and squeezes Hanna tighter in her arms. "You are the total best, Han!" She says, excited, and kisses her cheek. "I won't say a word, I promise. I'm here just as your friend, like yesterday. And nope, I don't want you to pay me for the day. I wanna help and I have nothing better to do anyway."
Hanna "I insist, Chlo. It's a condition. Take it or leave."
Chloe "Fine." She agrees, taking a seat next to Hanna. "So, how can I help?"
The trio dives into work. They do some research, make a bunch of phone calls, and review tons of portfolios that the agencies start to send by email after their contact. Hanna's abdominal cramping and lower back pain remain there the whole time, but she manages to ignore the discomfort and continue working. Before they know it, it's noon. By then, they have some very good options to decide and move forward. With Hanna's inclination over one of them, Leo makes another call to them.
Leo "Perfect! Sure! We'll be there in a bit more than an hour… Yes, please. Text me the address… Sounds great! Thanks! See you in a little while." He ends the call and looks at Hanna with a grin on his face. "I just arranged for a last-minute meeting in their offices, Han. They are pretty excited about the idea of working with you. They said they would pre-select some of their best models for us. I also told them we need to match specific sizes of dresses and shoes, so they asked me to bring over a detailed list of them."
Hanna grins too. "That's great, Leo! If this meeting goes well, then we can put them in contact with our lawyer this afternoon to check if this agency meets our legal requirements and sign a contract… and maybe have a new fitting by Tuesday or Wednesday."
Leo "Yes, that would be awesome. We'd still be pretty tight on time, but we got this!"
Chloe "See, Leo? We make such a great team together! The three of us!" She extends her arm to Hanna for a high five.
Hanna chuckles and gives her a high five. Then Chloe does the same with Leo, who seems reluctant.
Chloe "Come on, Leo! I know you like me already." She says, still holding her palm in the air.
Leo rolls his eyes and gives her a high five as well, trying to hide a smile but failing.
Chloe smiles at him.
Hanna "So? Where's this meeting?"
Leo "From what they told me, I think it's about an hour from here, but we can catch the subway and make it less time."
Hanna "Oh, I can't take the subway anymore, Leo. It was a nightmare this morning. We are taking a cab, and we'll get there when we do. I don't care if it takes us a bit longer."
Leo nods in understanding.
Hanna "I'll go pee and then we can leave."
Hanna gets up from her chair and has to lean on the desk, placing her hands on top of it to support herself as a new stabbing pain surprises her and makes her shut her eyes.
Leo "Are you okay?"
Hanna nods, still in that position.
Chloe stands up and rushes to her. "Sit down again, Han." She tells her softly, grabbing her arm gently.
Hanna "I'm okay, I just stood up too fast again, Chlo." She straightens up. "I need to pee." She says before leaving the office.
/
Hanna is washing her hands in the bathroom when another sharp pain makes her wince. It's more prolonged and it feels different than the cramps she's been experiencing lately.
She finishes in the bathroom and heads back to the office where she finds Leo and Chloe ready to leave.
Hanna "Look, guys… I'll stay here. I need to take it easier today. I can't keep up with this pace." She looks directly at Leo. "I trust your judgment, Leo. Go there and meet with these people. If you like them and what they have to offer, then say the word and we'll move forward with them."
Leo "Sure, Han." He gives her a smile while approaching her. "Take care of yourself and your little one." He squeezes her shoulder. "I've got this."
Hanna smiles back. "I know you do. Thanks, Leo!"
She gives him a brief hug, then goes to sit back in her chair.
Chloe "I'll stay with you, Han." She says, placing her purse back on the large desk.
Hanna "Oh, you don't have to, Chlo. I know you're excited about this meeting. Go with Leo. I'll be fine."
Chloe "It's okay, Han. I'm sure I'll be part of plenty of cool meetings while working with you. I'll stay."
Hanna shoots her a warm smile. "Thanks." She says softly, as another wave of pain coming from her belly hits her.
Leo "Okay, I'll get going then. Cross your fingers, ladies! This has to work! I'll keep you posted." He says before leaving.
Chloe "You sure you're okay, Han?" She insists.
Hanna nods. "Yeah… it's just… a weird sensation." She says, rubbing her belly. "I think I just pushed myself too much these last few days, and… yesterday's mess with the models left me feeling cramps almost all night. I was just too nervous."
Chloe "Well, try to chill now. If it's not this agency, it'll be another one. We'll get the models somehow. This is New York City!" She reassures her.
Hanna smiles slightly.
Chloe "It's lunchtime already. Want me to go get you something to eat?"
Hanna "Oh, you're right!" Time flew while working and she hasn't even thought of lunch yet. "I'm not hungry, but I should eat something anyway."
Chloe "Okay, I'll go get us something."
Hanna nods and reaches out for her bag. "Please, make sure it's something light. I can't eat heavy foods. Maybe a salad, or a sandwich, as long as it doesn't have mayo or bacon… well, you know." She hands her wallet to Chloe.
Chloe "Oh, no. It's fine."
Hanna "Chloe, please. Take my wallet and get us both something to eat. Don't be silly, inviting you to lunch is the least I can do to thank you. You've been a great support yesterday and today. I'm happy to have you back working with me, but also, I'm happy to have you as my friend."
Chloe grins and takes Hanna's wallet. "I love you, Han! I'm so excited to work for you again! And that you consider me a friend means a lot to me!" She pulls Hanna into a hug. "Thanks again for this job! I won't disappoint you. I promise."
Hanna "I know you won't, Chlo! You'll do great!"
Chloe "I'll be right back." She says, pulling away.
Hanna spins in her chair and focuses on her laptop, going through the pictures that the modeling agency Leo is meeting with shared with them earlier.
Another intense pain makes her bend, and this time, it lasts longer. She takes a few breaths, trying to recompose herself. The fact that this is happening even while she's sitting down, without making physical efforts, alarms her. Aware that her symptoms are worsening and becoming more frequent, she reaches for her phone and takes action.
Hanna "Hi, this is Hanna Rivers. I'm a patient of Dr. Bowen. I'm in my eighth month of pregnancy, and she gave me this number in case I needed to get in touch more directly… Yes, I'd like to speak to her, thanks." As she waits for her doctor to pick up the call, her anxiety rises, and she curses herself for not having gotten in touch with her doctor sooner.
Dr. Bowen "Hanna? What's going on?"
Hanna "Hi, Dr. Bowen. I've been having these cramps since yesterday, and now there's this sharp pain that's different from the usual cramps. It's been getting worse, and it's really worrying me."
Dr. Bowen "Okay, Hanna, I need you to stay calm. Come over to the clinic. I'd like to examine you."
Hanna "I'm still in New York. I think it's better if I find someone here. I don't think I can make it back to Rosewood right now."
Dr. Bowen "Understood. I'll recommend a colleague in New York who can see you immediately. His name is Dr. Larson, and he's very good. I'll call his office and let him know you're coming. Can you get there? I'll text you the address."
Hanna "Yes, I can. Thank you so much, Dr. Bowen."
Dr. Bowen "Take care, Hanna. Go there right away."
Hanna "I will. Thanks again."
Hanna ends the call and immediately texts Chloe to let her know she's heading to see a doctor and will explain everything later.
She also texts Caleb: "Hi, baby! Please, let me know when you are back in NY."
As soon as she gets the text from her doctor with Dr. Larson's clinic address, she calls an Uber.
As she waits for the car, she feels another wave of pain, and her determination to get proper medical attention intensifies. She knows she needs to take care of herself and her baby, no matter what.
Once in the Uber, already on the way to the clinic, she receives a text from Caleb: "Hey! I'm about to hit the road. Is everything okay?"
Hanna texts him back: "Yes, I just won't be at the workshop. Leo is meeting up with a new agency, so we've got that figured out. I'll just take the rest of the day off. Text me when you get here and—" She realizes that by sending that text to Caleb, he'll suspect something is going on, as he knows her too well to know that she wouldn't miss a meeting with the agency providing the models for the fashion show she's been working so hard on. She deletes it and sends another one instead: "Yes, I just won't be at the workshop. Text me when you're here and I'll tell you where to meet up. Drive safe."
/
Hanna arrives at Dr. Larson's clinic, feeling increasingly anxious. She's quickly taken into an examination room, where Dr. Larson examines her and monitors the baby's heartbeat.
Dr. Larson "Hanna, based on your symptoms and the exam, it looks like you are experiencing preterm labor. It's good that you came in when you did."
Hanna "Preterm labor? Is the baby okay?"
Dr. Larson "The baby's heartbeat is strong, but we need to monitor you both closely. I'm going to admit you to the clinic for observation. We'll give you medication to try to stop the contractions and monitor the baby's health. This doesn't necessarily mean you'll deliver early, but we need to take precautions."
Hanna nods, her eyes wide with concern but also relief that she's in good hands.
Dr. Larson "I'll make sure you're comfortable and well taken care of. Try to stay calm. Stress can make things worse. Do you have someone who can stay with you?"
Hanna "My husband is coming from Rosewood, he should be here in a couple of hours."
Dr. Larson "Good. I'll have the nurse take you to your room and get you settled. We'll take it one step at a time."
As Hanna is wheeled to her room, the term 'preterm labor' invades her thoughts. Her eyes well up with tears as she feels scared, but also guilty. She should have reached out to her doctor the day before. She should have told Caleb about the cramps and asked him to stay. Suddenly, the problem with the models and Claudia Greco's sabotage seem so insignificant compared to this.
/
Hanna is already in bed, wearing a patient gown pushed up over her chest. Her belly is uncovered, with a couple of sensors secured to her skin by a belt made of tape, connected to a fetal monitor tracking both the baby's heart rate and her contractions in real-time. The hospital bed is set in a half-sitting position, and her lower half is covered by sheets.
The nurse returns to her room with two IV bags.
Hanna "Two IVs?" She asks, a bit worried.
Nurse "Yes, but don't worry. It's just one catheter." She reassures her.
Hanna still looks confused.
Nurse "It means only one puncture for you."
Hanna nods. "And what are they for?"
Nurse "One to keep you hydrated and the other one is medication to stop your contractions."
Hanna nods again, but then her eyes shut as another contraction hits, causing her pain.
The nurse notices and quickly sets the IV bags aside, taking Hanna's hand and making eye contact to help her focus.
Nurse "Take a deep breath in through your nose, nice and slow. Good, Hanna. Now breathe out through your mouth, just like that. Great job." She kindly instructs her. "Just stay calm, we're here to help you."
As the contraction starts to ease, the nurse helps Hanna relax.
Nurse "The contraction is easing up now. Take another deep breath in... and out. Great job, Hanna. You did it."
The nurse lets go of her hand to continue with her task. Hanna stares at the ceiling.
Nurse "Have you called someone to come be with you yet?" She asks kindly while disinfecting Hanna's arm.
Hanna "Not yet. My husband is on his way here to New York. He's driving, so… I just didn't want to worry him. I'll tell him once he's here." She explains.
Nurse "Don't you have anyone else to call in the meantime?" She insists, as she inserts an IV catheter into her vein.
Hanna's face wrinkles at the uncomfortable, sharp but bearable pain. "I'll just wait for my husband." She lets out a deep breath as the pain eases. "He should be here in less than a couple of hours."
Nurse "There you go." She says, taping her arm. "See, it wasn't that bad."
Hanna "I'm not a fan of needles."
Nurse "Just one more needle, and I promise I'll leave you alone to rest." She smiles at Hanna.
Hanna looks at her, confused.
Nurse "I just need to give you a shot with some more medication."
Hanna "What for? I thought the second IV was for the meds."
Nurse "Yes, the IV is to stop your contractions. But Dr. Larson also ordered some steroids to help mature the baby's lungs, just in case. We need to be prepared for a possible early delivery."
Hanna's eyes widen in shock. "Early delivery? But I'm not ready for that! The baby's not due for another three weeks. Is everything going to be okay?"
Nurse "It's just a precaution, Hanna. We're doing everything we can to stop the contractions and keep the baby safe inside as long as possible. But it's important to be prepared for any outcome. The steroids will help the baby's lungs develop faster, just in case."
Hanna nods, tears welling up in her eyes as she tries to process the information. "Okay, I understand. I just… wasn't expecting this today."
The nurse notices Hanna's hands starting to tremble. "I know it's a lot to take in, but you're in good hands. Try to relax. Deep breaths, okay?"
Hanna tries to steady her breathing, but her whole body begins to shake involuntarily from nerves and fear.
Nurse "Hanna, I need you to stay as still as you can. I'm going to give you a shot in your thigh, and it's important that you don't move."
Hanna tries to hold still, but her trembling makes it difficult. "I'm sorry, I can't help it… I'm just too upset." She says, on the verge of tears. "I wasn't expecting to have my baby today."
Nurse "I know, sweetheart. It's okay. Just focus on your breathing. In and out. You're doing great."
The nurse carefully disinfects Hanna's thigh and prepares the injection. Hanna clenches her fists, trying to control the shaking, but it's still noticeable.
Nurse "Alright, I'm going to count to three. Try to relax your leg as much as you can. One… two… three."
As the nurse inserts the needle, Hanna's leg twitches slightly. The nurse holds her steady, completing the injection perfectly.
Nurse "There, all done. You did great."
Hanna lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you. I'm just so scared for my baby."
Nurse "I know. It's natural to be scared, but you're in good hands. We're going to take good care of you both. Try to rest now, okay?"
Hanna nods, her body still trembling slightly but starting to calm down. "Okay. Thank you."
Nurse "You're welcome. I'll be right outside if you need anything."
Hanna lies back, trying to steady her breathing and calm her racing thoughts. She takes her phone and sees that she has a bunch of texts from Chloe, but none from Caleb yet.
She decides to text Chloe back, as she seems to be beyond worried: "Hey, Chloe! I'm sorry, I just read your texts. I'm still at the clinic. Don't worry about me, I'm okay. Caleb is on his way. Go home. I'm sorry I stood you up for lunch. Take care!"
Hanna keeps her phone in her hand, hoping to have news from Caleb soon. She tries to relax, but it seems impossible. A million thoughts invade her mind. Feeling guilty, she goes over everything she could have done differently to avoid ending up in this situation. She realizes how unprepared she is to receive Hallie just yet: she hasn't washed her clothes, the nursery isn't ready, she hasn't shopped for diapers, and… she's away from home. Hanna starts crying again. She knows it doesn't help her delicate situation, as both the doctor and the nurse have asked her to stay calm, but she just can't.
Her phone buzzes, and she hopes it's a text from Caleb, more than ever. But it's just Leo.
Leo: "Hey, Han! Chloe told me you went to see a doctor. Are you alright? Do you want me to go with you?"
Hanna: "Leo! I'm having contractions, so they're giving me some meds to stop them. I didn't tell Chloe because I don't want her to worry. I'm just waiting for Caleb to arrive in New York to let him know too, so please, don't say a word. Don't worry about me either. I'll just wait for him. Thank you!"
Leo: "Oh, Han! I'm so sorry to hear that… Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you until Caleb arrives?"
Hanna: "I'm sure, don't worry."
Leo: "Okay, then… just to make you feel a bit better, the meeting with the modeling agency went great. Want me to handle it? Should I talk to Lucas to move forward with them?"
Hanna: "That's awesome, Leo! Yes, please! Handle it yourself. I can't take care of that right now. My focus is on my baby. Thanks a lot, really!"
Leo: "Don't you worry about a thing, Han. I've got this. Hope everything is alright with you and the little one. Let me know if you need anything."
Hanna sighs and closes her eyes. The brief exchange of texts with Leo distracted her a little from her thoughts and helped her stop crying so much. Still anguished, she leaves her phone next to her on the mattress and closes her eyes, trying to relax.
Another hour passes, one of the slowest hours in Hanna's life, during which she hasn't managed to sleep a wink. The nurse comes in a couple of times to check the fetal monitor as well as her blood pressure, temperature, and vital signs. Hanna is calmer, but her eyes are swollen and red from crying, and her face shows her sadness. Dr. Larson enters her room to check on her again.
Dr. Larson "Are you feeling any better, Hanna?" He asks, while taking a look at the monitor connected to her.
Hanna "A bit." She says, softly.
Dr. Larson "I see you're still having contractions." He comments and then grabs the chart where the nurse has been keeping track of Hanna's vital signs. "But your vitals look good. And so is your baby's heart rate." He looks at her.
Hanna "So, are the meds working?"
Dr. Larson "It's still too soon to know, but I'm optimistic. We caught this in time… Let's take a look at your cervix, okay?" He says, putting on a medical glove.
Hanna nods.
The doctor performs a cervical exam. Hanna's anxiety rises again as her anticipation grows, really hoping with all her heart for good news, and pretty scared to hear otherwise.
Dr. Larson "Well, Hanna… you aren't any worse. That's good news." He says, straightening up and covering her again with the sheets.
Hanna "So, when will we find out if the meds are working?"
Dr. Larson "This takes some time, Hanna." He starts, sitting down in a chair next to her bed. "But don't worry, my team and I will keep monitoring you constantly. You have many things in your favor: you got here with little cervix dilation and your waters didn't break. Now, it's important that you stay calm, okay? As I told you earlier, stress can only make things worse. You still seem very upset. You should call someone to be here with you. Having support is crucial."
Hanna "I know, my husband will be here soon."
Dr. Larson nods. "So, does your baby girl have a name yet?" He asks, trying to make some conversation to distract Hanna a little.
Hanna smiles slightly. "She's Hallie."
Dr. Larson "Hallie, huh? Beautiful name."
Hanna "Thanks."
Dr. Larson "Don't worry, Hanna. Whatever happens, we are ready to take care of you and Hallie. But we'll try to stop, or at least delay, labor as much as we can because nothing is better for your baby than staying in your belly. Each day in there counts and it's very important for development."
Hanna nods.
Dr. Larson "Your condition is stable and that's good. One step at a time."
Hanna "Thank you, Dr. Larson. This whole situation is overwhelming for me, but I feel like I couldn't be in better hands. I'm glad my doctor sent me here."
Dr. Larson "You're welcome, Hanna." He says, standing up. "I'll come back to check on you later. Feel free to ask nurse Lydia to get me if you have more questions or concerns, or if your husband arrives and wants to talk to me as well."
Hanna smiles slightly. "Thanks."
The doctor is about to leave Hanna's room, but a contraction causes her to twitch. He walks back to her and places his hand on her shoulder.
Dr. Larson "Do you know how to breathe through it, Hanna?" He asks, offering support.
Hanna nods and recalls the nurse's previous instructions. She starts to breathe deeply in through her nose and then out through her mouth.
Dr. Larson "Excellent, Hanna. You're doing perfectly." He reassures her.
The doctor stays with her through the contraction.
A couple of minutes later, just as the doctor leaves her room, Hanna's phone buzzes, and she picks it up immediately.
Caleb: "Just arriving in the city, babe. Tell me where you are."
Hanna sighs and starts recording a voice message: "Hi, baby. I'm—" She has to delete the message because she can't finish the phrase. Her voice cracks as she becomes emotional again and her eyes fill up with tears once more. Knowing she won't manage to send him a voice message without bursting into tears, she simply sends him the clinic address without any more information. Then, for the hundredth time today, she takes deep breaths, trying to calm down.
Assuming Hanna must be busy, maybe at some meeting at the address she just sent him, Caleb enters it into his app to get directions.
About twenty minutes later, Hanna receives a voice message from Caleb: "Hey, babe. I'm a couple of blocks away. Are you at a meeting or something? Should I find a place to park or just pick you up?"
Hanna takes a deep breath and types: "Hey! I need you to park and come inside. Don't freak out, but I'm at a clinic. Just ask for me at reception."
Caleb replies in less than a minute with another voice message since he's still driving: "Clinic? Oh my God, are you okay? I'm parking right now. Be there in a minute!"
Hanna: "I'm okay." She simply texts back, fighting tears again.
/
Caleb enters the clinic in a hurry and asks for Hanna at reception. The nurse directs him to her room, and he rushes through the corridors, his heart pounding. When he finally opens the door, he stops in his tracks, astonished and confused by the sight of Hanna connected to a monitor and IVs. His eyes fixate on her exposed baby bump, with all those white little round circles stuck to her skin, the white tape encircling it, and the thin wires leading to the machines tracking her and the baby's vitals. Hanna notices Caleb's reaction: his concern and the fear in his eyes.
Hanna "She's okay." She says softly as tears well up in her eyes, trying to reassure him, as his eyes remain on her belly.
Caleb's eyes shift to her face, still filled with confusion and worry, wanting and needing to learn more.
Hanna "I'm okay too." She adds and sits up, her voice breaking as she starts to cry again.
Caleb finally reacts and moves quickly to her side, taking her hand. "What's going on?" He asks, his voice tinged with desperation.
Hanna takes a shaky breath. "I'm in preterm labor." She barely manages to say.
Caleb "You're in labor? Will she be born today?" His voice is filled with alarm and confusion as he places his palm on her lower belly.
Hanna "No!" She responds immediately, her voice wavering. "Well, at least they're trying to stop it." She adds, still unsettled and crying.
Caleb, still confused, stares at Hanna, waiting for her to elaborate. But Hanna, overcome with emotion, can't find the words to explain further. She sobs softly, her shoulders shaking.
Caleb "But you two are okay?" He asks again, needing to make sure.
Hanna nods, tears streaming down her face. Caleb pulls her into his arms, holding her tightly as she cries against his chest. He strokes her hair gently.
Caleb "It's okay, I'm here." He whispers, catching a sight of the monitor hooked to Hanna, trying to figure out what's showing. He sees two graphs, one with the baby's heartbeat and the other for the contractions. "Everything will be okay." He still has a million questions, but Hanna's too upset.
Hanna's eyes shut as she feels another contraction, a not-so-friendly reminder that she needs to calm down. Caleb doesn't notice her expression, but he does see a rise in the curve of the graph showing her contractions, forming a peak.
Caleb "Lie down, baby." He says, releasing her and gently encouraging her to rest back on the bed.
Hanna rests her head back on the pillow. Her bed is still in a half-sitting position. Her eyes fix on Caleb as she keeps crying.
Caleb pushes a reclining chair closer to her bed and sits down in it. Hanna adjusts her pillow and brings her face closer to him. He takes the chance to press soft little kisses on her forehead as his palm rests back on her belly, being careful not to accidentally remove any of the sensors stuck to it. Hanna closes her eyes, enjoying his closeness, and places her hand on top of his on her belly. Caleb pecks her lips and rests his head on her pillow as well, closing his eyes too.
They remain like that for several minutes, the room filled with the sound of Hanna's quiet sobs and the machines monitoring her and the baby. Slowly, Hanna begins to calm down, her breathing steadier. Feeling Caleb's warm breath against her forehead is relaxing, and his presence is comforting.
Suddenly, Hanna's body tenses again as another contraction hits. She grips Caleb's hand tightly, her knuckles whitening.
Caleb looks at the monitor, seeing the contraction rise again. "Breathe, Han. In and out." He says softly, stroking her hair. "I'm right here."
Hanna tries to focus on her breathing, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. The contraction passes, leaving her panting slightly.
Caleb holds her hand firmly, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on her skin. "You're doing great, baby. Just breathe."
After a few moments, Hanna finally pulls back slightly, looking at Caleb with red, swollen eyes. "They're giving me medication to stop the contractions." She explains in a shaky voice. "And some steroids to help Hallie's lungs develop faster, just in case she's born early. Dr. Larson says we caught this in time, so they're hopeful. Dr. Bowen recommended I come here. I called her earlier."
Caleb raises his head from her pillow, straightening up, and nods, absorbing the information. "Okay." He says softly. "We're going to get through this. You and Hallie are strong. I'm here now, and we'll face this together." He reassures her again, deciding against asking her the million questions he still has, not wanting to upset her again.
Hanna "Thank you." She whispers, staring into his concerned eyes.
Caleb "I love you both so much." He adds. "We're going to be okay."
Hanna feels Caleb's fingertips brushing against her lower belly, caressing her skin.
Hanna "I'm so sorry." She says, back on the verge of tears. "I thought I could, I thought I was okay to keep working until next week. I swear, I was very careful. I made sure not to skip any meals, to take all my supplements, sit down and rest every chance I got, take things easy… But it seems like it wasn't enough and I-"
Caleb "Hey!" He softly cuts her off. "Blaming yourself won't do you any good. I know, okay? I know you took care of yourself and Hallie… Besides, we don't know. It could be another reason."
Hanna "Dr. Larson said it surely was stress, because I don't have any of the health problems that could cause this, so…" Her bottom lip shivers as a tear rolls down her cheek. "I did this to us."
Caleb "Hanna, please. Don't go there." He takes her hand. "Besides, I've been rushing to get a lot of things ready before Hallie's born too, almost like her birth was a big deadline for us. That's stupid. I should have been more attentive to you too. But anyway, let's just stay positive, okay? Let's just hope this treatment will work and keep Hallie in your belly for a little while longer. But if it happens that she is born early, we'll deal with it. I'm sure they'll take very good care of her here, and then it'll be the three of us going back to Rosewood. It's okay either way. Now, please, try to relax and get some rest." He leans in and kisses her lips. "I'm here."
Hanna nods.
Caleb places some loving kisses on her forehead and goes back to kiss her mouth again before pulling away.
Hanna opens her eyes and looks at him. "Stay close." She asks, tapping her pillow.
Caleb leans forward again in his chair and rests his head on her pillow. Hanna turns her face to the side and pecks his lips.
Caleb "So, what's the first thing you're really looking forward to doing with Hallie once she's born? It doesn't matter when, let's not think about that. Just tell me something you'd like to do with her." He asks, trying to distract her a bit.
Hanna "Besides smooching her chubby baby cheeks?" She smiles slightly at the thought of it. "I'm really looking forward to taking her home and introducing her to Chocolate. I'm dying to see them together."
Caleb smiles too. "Yeah, that will be awesome."
Another contraction hits Hanna, and she winces, gripping Caleb's hand again.
Caleb "It's okay, it'll pass." He reminds her. "Just a moment."
Hanna nods, squeezing his hand as the pain gradually subsides. She takes deep breaths, doing her best to stay calm.
Hanna "What about you?" She asks after a moment, trying to keep her mind off the contractions.
Caleb "Can't wait for our first morning at home, cuddling all together in bed."
Hanna smiles again. "Oh, yes… nuzzling her neck and breathing in the baby scent… so rich."
Caleb smiles back. "What won't be so rich will be her poopy diapers… we'll have to take turns changing those."
Hanna grins. "Nope, they'll be all yours. Breastfeeding is mine, changing poopy diapers is yours." She jokes.
Caleb chuckles. "Fair enough… so, what about baths? Or are we just letting Chocolate lick her clean?"
Hanna "I think it'll be nice to take care of baths together… besides, Dante pooped himself while Ezra was giving him a bath when he was like one month old, and Ezra ended up throwing up right there on the floor because it disgusted him so much, and he couldn't just drop the baby. So it was quite a mess by the time Aria showed up to the rescue. She told us it was the most disgusting thing she ever saw. So, I think the bath is a two-people task, at least the first ones…"
Caleb "Oh, Ezra never told us about that one." He says, amused. "That's such a contraceptive anecdote."
Hanna smiles slightly and yawns. "Good thing you didn't hear of it until now, then." She says playfully.
Caleb kisses her lips. "I have another question…"
Hanna "Shoot."
Caleb "Who gets to check if she's breathing okay every half an hour during the night?" He asks tenderly, in a soft voice.
Hanna "As the new obsessive, loving but insecure, sticky parents we will be? I think both of us."
Caleb smiles once more. "I think Chocolate will be the most stuck-to-her-side from the three of us."
Hanna "I have no doubts." She agrees, closing her eyes.
Caleb kisses her forehead. "Can't wait to go on walks, the four of us… Hallie in her stroller, Chocolate on his leash, us holding hands…"
Hanna "If we hold hands, who's gonna push Hallie's stroller?"
Caleb "We'll do it together, with our free hands."
Hanna chuckles, keeping her eyes closed. "That sounds both stupid and cheesy… not to mention impractical."
Caleb "It's my fantasy, don't ruin it."
Hanna "Okay, I'm sorry." She tilts her head up just a bit, blindly searching for his mouth. "It sounds cute too." She kisses his lips.
And just like that, a few minutes after that sweet, soft, and relaxed talk, Hanna finally falls asleep. Caleb, although wide awake, remains sharing her pillow, needing to stay close to her.
Some minutes later, the nurse enters the room to check on Hanna. Caleb straightens up in his chair and looks at her. She shoots him a very warm smile. It's the first time since Hanna arrived at the clinic that the nurse sees her relaxed, and even more surprising, sleeping. Being as quiet as possible, the nurse changes one of Hanna's IV bags and then checks the monitor. She gives Caleb a thumbs up, letting him know that everything is okay, avoiding saying a word, not to disturb Hanna's rest, and then leaves.
Hanna sleeps for nearly two hours, only waking briefly due to her contractions. She's so mentally and physically exhausted that she falls back asleep almost immediately each time.
Her phone buzzes several times beside her on the bed. Seeing that she's still resting, Caleb decides to take a look just in case. Noticing that the messages are all from Chloe, he puts the phone back without bothering to read them. When he looks at Hanna again, he sees her eyes are open, watching him.
Caleb "It was buzzing like crazy. I just checked to see if it was important. It's just Chloe." He explains.
Hanna nods. "It's okay." She replies, not minding at all.
Caleb "How are you feeling?" He asks softly, reaching for her hand.
Hanna "I think I'm a bit better. I really needed that nap. My back is a bit sore, though. I'd like to change positions, but I don't want to mess up all this... stuff." She says, gesturing toward her belly and the monitors.
Caleb "Wanna try turning to your side? I'll help you."
Hanna nods.
Caleb pushes his chair back and stands up. As Hanna turns to lie on her side, he carefully holds the wires and adjusts them once she's settled. Noticing her palm supporting her belly, he looks around the room for an extra pillow or something she could use, but finds nothing. He takes off his zip-up hoodie and folds it into a makeshift cushion.
Caleb "Here, babe." He says, gently placing his hoodie between the mattress and her belly.
Hanna smiles, touched by his loving gesture. "Come here." She says, extending her arm. "I want to hug you."
Caleb leans forward and they hug.
Hanna "I love you so much, babe." She whispers against his shoulder. "I'm so lucky it's you I'm going through this with. I'm so grateful to have you by my side. You're the best, really."
Caleb turns his face and kisses her cheek. "I love you too. I'm grateful for you every day. Maybe not since the very first day we met, but definitely a few days after." He jokes.
Hanna chuckles. Caleb buries his face in the crook of her neck and kisses her there.
Caleb "Is there anything you need?" He asks, gently pulling away from the hug and standing up. "Can I get you something?" He offers.
He slides his hand to her lower back, rubbing soothing circles.
Hanna "We need to get our stuff from the hotel. But I don't want you to leave me just to go get our things. It'll take a while... I don't mind paying for the room a couple of extra days to keep everything there, but I still need my things... clean underwear, my toothbrush, my makeup remover..."
Caleb nods, thinking of a practical solution.
Hanna "This would be so much easier if we were in Rosewood." She says, frustrated. "You could go home and come back in minutes. My mom could stay with me, and our friends could help out. This sucks."
Caleb "It's okay, Han… We've got this." He reassures her. "I'll go get our things from the hotel later. I don't want to leave you alone either, but if I go later at night, traffic won't be an issue and I'll be back in about an hour. I'll also check out… I guess I can shower at Lucas' if it turns out we need to stay here for a few days, but the rest of the time, I'm planning to be right here with you, so…"
Hanna "Okay."
Caleb "Do you want me to call your mom? Do you need her here?" He asks, still rubbing her back.
Hanna "I do want her here, but I don't want to worry her, and it's getting dark outside…"
Caleb "I'm sure Ted wouldn't mind driving her."
Hanna "And what about Chocolate?"
Caleb "Well, I wouldn't ask Toby with the baby and their new dog, but I'm sure Emily and Ali wouldn't mind keeping him for the weekend. The twins would be thrilled."
Hanna "Let's wait a little longer, okay? If the meds don't work and we know Hallie will be born soon, we'll call my mom. I can't do it without her. But I'm sure we'll have a couple of hours for her to get here if that happens. For now, I'll just text her and let her know we won't be picking up Chocolate tonight."
Caleb nods.
Hanna "I should also text Chloe back." She says, picking up her phone. "Oh, she still has my wallet." She adds while reading Chloe's messages. "Poor girl, she went out to get us something for lunch and I just disappeared."
Caleb "Ask her for an address and I'll pick up your wallet when I go to the hotel."
Hanna nods and starts recording a voice message: "Hey, Chlo! Here I am. I'm still at the clinic. I was having contractions, so they're giving me meds to stop them. Anyway, I'm okay and so is Hallie, and Caleb is here now. You're right, you still have my wallet. Just send me an address and Caleb will pick it up later. Listen, I won't be back at work, so I just wanted to wish you the best of luck for your first day with Leo on Monday, well, or at least your official first day. I'm sure you guys will get along super well and you'll learn a lot from him. I know you'll do great! Again, I'm sorry I just disappeared today without much of a text, but I'm sure you understand I couldn't wait. Thanks for being there for me these last couple of days. Love you!" She then texts Ashley and puts her phone back down on the bed.
Caleb "Han…" He says, smiling. "It's been like twenty minutes since your last contraction."
Hanna smiles back, but just as she's about to respond, her smile fades as another contraction hits her hard.
Caleb "Oh, I'm sorry. I spoke too soon." He takes her hand. "Just breathe, babe. This one will pass soon too."
Hanna nods, doing her breathing exercises.
Hanna's contraction gradually eases, and she relaxes.
Just then, Dr. Larson shows up again.
Dr. Larson "Good evening. How are we doing?"
Hanna manages a tired smile. "Hanging in there, Dr. Larson." She says while carefully turning to lie properly on her back again.
Dr. Larson nods, looking at her chart. "I see. Let's take a look and see how things are progressing." He glances at Caleb, assuming he's Hanna's husband. "Feel free to stay right where you are. It's important for Hanna to have your support."
Caleb nods, gripping Hanna's hand a little tighter. "Of course."
Dr. Larson puts on a pair of gloves and gently pulls down Hanna's bed sheets to perform an examination. Caleb looks away, feeling a bit awkward but staying close to Hanna, his concern evident in his eyes.
Dr. Larson "Well, Hanna, you're doing a good job hanging in there. The medication seems to be helping, but we'll need to keep monitoring you."
Hanna nods. "Okay. What's next?"
Dr. Larson pulls up a stool and sits at her bedside. "We'll keep you on the medication for now and continue to monitor your contractions and Hallie's heartbeat. If the contractions don't stop, we'll have to consider other options."
Caleb clears his throat. "What other options?"
Dr. Larson "If the contractions don't stop and Hanna goes into active labor, we'll have to prepare for delivery. Given the circumstances, it might be a bit early, but we're well-equipped to handle it."
Caleb takes a deep breath, trying to process the information. Even though Hanna has told him about this possibility, hearing it from the doctor makes it sound more serious. "What are the risks for Hallie if she's born early?"
Dr. Larson nods, understanding the concern. "At almost 37 weeks, the risks are significantly lower than earlier in the pregnancy. Most babies born at this stage do very well, though she might need some time in the neonatal intensive care unit to ensure her lungs are fully developed and she can maintain her body temperature and feed effectively."
Caleb swallows hard, his grip on Hanna's hand tightening. "And for Hanna?"
Dr. Larson "We'll take every precaution to ensure Hanna's well-being during the delivery. Our primary goal is to keep both mother and baby healthy. If it comes to that, we'll have a team ready to assist."
Hanna looks at Caleb, her eyes showing her concern and fear.
Caleb leans in to kiss her forehead. "It's okay. We've got this." He whispers to her.
Dr. Larson stands up, giving them both a reassuring smile. "You're both doing great. My team will keep a close eye on you overnight, and I'll be back in the morning to check on you again. As I told Hanna earlier, I'm very optimistic. Try to get some rest, both of you."
Caleb nods. "Thanks, Dr. Larson."
Dr. Larson "Oh, and I'll ask the nurse to bring you an extra pillow, Hanna." He adds, having noticed before that she was resting her belly on an improvised cushion.
Hanna "Thanks, doctor."
After the doctor leaves, Caleb sits back down, keeping his hand on Hanna's. "You heard him. We're doing great. We'll be fine."
Hanna smiles weakly. "Thanks for asking all those questions. I needed to hear that."
Caleb "Anytime, Han. We've got this." He repeats again, squeezing her hand gently.
Hanna sighs. "I know, but… just the thought of Hallie being born now freaks me out. We are so unprepared… and away from home."
Caleb "Everything she'll need is right at this clinic, Han. We, her parents, who are eager to meet her, and also a team of professionals ready to take care of her."
Hanna "We don't even have clothes for her… Are you dressing her with your hoodie?" She asks, still frustrated.
Caleb shrugs. "I think it'd go a bit big on her, but…" He says, taking his hoodie and unfolding it. "It could make a fine baby blanket…" He jokes.
Hanna rolls her eyes.
Caleb "I know it's hard, and you are in pain and tired, but try to stay positive, baby." He takes her hand again.
Hanna nods. "Yeah, I'm sorry. You are right… it's just that… ugh, this pisses me off. This isn't how I pictured it. I wanted her to be born in Rosewood, and pretty much full term."
Caleb "Let's not worry or get upset about things we can't change, Han. You are at the right place, getting the care and meds that you need. There's nothing we can do but just wait and hope for the best."
Hanna "How can you be so calm?"
Caleb smiles at her. "For you, babe." He simply responds, even though he's actually not that calm. He has had this knot in his throat since he learned that Hanna was at the clinic and also a sickening sensation of worry in the pit of his stomach. But he can't allow himself to freak out.
Hanna "I really need to pee." She says, changing the subject and releasing his hand. "I'll call the nurse, maybe they can disconnect me for a little while…" She presses the call button integrated into the bed's control panel.
/
The rest of the day and night go by in a bit of a blur. Dinner arrives, and even though Hanna doesn't have much of an appetite, she forces herself to eat something. She and Caleb spend some time chatting, just letting the hours pass until the city outside finally quiets down. Caleb heads out to pick up Hanna's wallet from Chloe and grab their stuff from the hotel. He also takes the chance to pick up a sandwich for himself. When he gets back, they settle in for the night. Hanna is relieved to have her things back and uses the bathroom to remove her makeup, do a quick skincare routine, and brush her teeth. Feeling better after freshening up, she and Caleb get ready to sleep.
The room is softly lit by a small bedside lamp. Caleb settles into the recliner next to Hanna's bed, keeping his hand close to hers. A new nurse, just as kind as the one from earlier, checks on Hanna and monitors her throughout the night.
Despite everything, Hanna manages to have a decent night. Her contractions become less frequent and intense. Each time she wakes up, Caleb's presence comforts her, his steady breathing and the occasional gentle squeeze of her hand helping to keep her calm. His presence helps keep her anxiety at bay, even though her worry about the baby doesn't entirely disappear.
/
The next morning, Dr. Larson arrives to check on Hanna.
Dr. Larson "Good morning. How are we feeling today?"
Hanna manages a small smile, still tired but more hopeful. "Better, I think."
Caleb "She had a decent night. The contractions seemed less frequent and less intense." He says from his chair.
Dr. Larson nods, pleased to hear the update. "That's great news." He hesitates briefly, then looks at Caleb. "I'm sorry, I just assumed you were Hanna's husband last night, but... I didn't catch your name?"
Hanna "Yes, he's my husband, Caleb."
Dr. Larson "Nice to meet you, Caleb. Let's take a look and see how things are progressing."
Dr. Larson pulls on a pair of gloves and proceeds to perform a new examination. Caleb, just like the previous night, feeling a bit awkward looks away but keeps holding Hanna's hand.
Dr. Larson "It looks like the medication is doing its job. Your cervix hasn't progressed any further, which is a very good sign."
Hanna sighs in relief, squeezing Caleb's hand. "Thank God."
Caleb "So, what's next? Are we out of the woods?"
Dr. Larson "We're definitely seeing positive signs, but we still need to be cautious. We'll complete the course of steroids to ensure Hallie's lungs are fully developed. That's standard procedure in situations like this, just to be on the safe side."
Hanna "How long will that take?"
Dr. Larson "The full course of steroids typically takes 48 hours. You've already started, so we'll continue monitoring you closely during that time. If the contractions remain under control, we can discuss next steps."
Caleb "So, there's a good chance Hanna can carry Hallie a bit longer?"
Dr. Larson smiles reassuringly. "Yes, if things continue as they are, there's a good chance we can stop labor completely for now and send you home to continue with the pregnancy, under certain conditions, of course. Every day we can keep Hallie in there makes a big difference. But still, I can't promise you anything until Hanna's contractions stop and she doesn't show any further signs of preterm labor."
Hanna "Thank you, Dr. Larson. This is really good to hear."
Dr. Larson gives them a reassuring smile. "You're both doing great. Keep resting and try to stay positive. My team and I are here to support you. I'll check on you later today, but if you need anything in the meantime, don't hesitate to call the nurse."
Hanna "Thanks, doctor."
Caleb "Yeah, thank you."
After Dr. Larson leaves, Caleb leans in and kisses Hanna's forehead.
Caleb "See? We're doing good. We just need to hang in there a bit longer."
Hanna smiles, finally feeling more hopeful. "Yeah, we've got this. I'm so happy!"
Caleb stands up. "I'll go get coffee and something to eat…" He says, as Hanna has already had breakfast. "Do you want anything?" He still offers.
Hanna shakes her head. "I'm good, thanks."
Caleb "Be right back." He presses a peck to her lips before leaving.
/
Some minutes later, when Caleb comes back with his coffee and a croissant, Hanna is on the phone, so he sits in his chair to enjoy his quick breakfast.
Hanna "Yes, everything is alright now, Lucas. I'm almost free of contractions, so it looks like I'll get to go home soon… Uh huh… Yes… No, I'll miss the fashion show too. I'm not coming back here. I'll just stay in Rosewood and take it easy from now on… Leo will be in charge. Please, talk to Ross and give him a bonus or something. It'll be a lot of extra work… Yeah, that's not a bad idea. Can you take care of it yourself? … Yes, thanks! That'd be awesome. I'll tell Caleb… Thanks, Lucas! See you soon. Send Lizzie a hug from me. Bye!" She lies back on the half-reclined hospital bed.
Caleb "Want some?" He offers her his croissant.
Hanna "I'm good." She smiles at him. "I just called Lucas to let him know I'd be missing the meeting with the investors next week, and well… the fashion show too." She sighs. "He also suggested getting a new assistant. They could work for Leo during my leave and then for me once I'm back. It'll be nice to have someone helping me out with my schedule and stuff. Things will be so different once Hallie's here."
Caleb nods. "I think it's a great idea… Leo will need someone besides Chloe anyway. I mean, she's got college too and won't be there one hundred percent."
Hanna stares at him.
Caleb "What's going on? Changed your mind about the croissant?" He asks and offers it to her again.
Hanna smiles and gently pushes his hand away. "It's not that."
Caleb "So?" He asks before taking another sip of coffee.
Hanna "You know I've been in a whirl of work lately, but… don't think for a moment I don't see you, Caleb Rivers, because I do. Will you tell me what's all that deal with LA, the meetings, those… secretive phone calls, and—"
Caleb "Secretive phone calls?" He asks, cutting her off and chuckles.
Hanna "Yeah, secretive phone calls. You never walked away from me to take a phone call until a couple of months ago. So, you either have another lady in LA, or you are up to something with work there. As I know you too well to know the first option is just impossible, would you please enlighten me about the second one?"
Caleb chuckles again. "Okay, you got me." He says, leaving his improvised breakfast on a little table beside him. "I wasn't going to tell you until it was all wrapped up, but… I sold my software to a company there." He confesses and looks at her.
Hanna frowns. "You sold your software?" She asks, surprised.
Caleb "Yeah."
Hanna "Why would you do that? You worked on it for years…"
Caleb "It was getting a lot to handle and… I could use the money, so—"
Hanna "You did it for money? For what did you need the money? Why didn't you just ask me? I have some savings, I—"
Caleb "Hey." He says, taking her hand. "I haven't finished explaining. Let me finish, okay?"
Hanna "Okay, I'm sorry."
Caleb "You know every software needs hardware..." He starts.
Hanna raises an eyebrow to him.
Caleb "The systems, programs… They need powerful computers, servers, processors to function smoothly."
Hanna nods, understanding better now.
Caleb "Well, with all the new users and growth, my software was becoming too complex to keep running efficiently on our current setup at the office." He explains. "Remember that night we were supposed to go out to dinner to celebrate that magazine article about you, but I had to stay at the office?"
Hanna nods again.
Caleb "A server went down, and I had the backup server running instead, but I had to get the original server back online right away. If the second one failed too, it would be a mess. It could end up being a huge security risk for our clients. Of course, I could have gotten more equipment and gone bigger, but it was just too much. It was only a matter of time until I had to choose between the software or the company with Toby. It was—"
Hanna "But you liked working on your software better than designing security systems for your clients." She interrupts him once more.
Caleb smiles slightly. "I have other ideas to develop next that will keep me just as entertained, don't worry. Anyway, Lucas introduced me to these people in LA and-"
Hanna chuckles. "Why is Lucas always behind all of our business matters?"
Caleb smiles, amused. "Well, they were actually acquaintances of Lizzie's, but Lucas made the contact… Anyway, as I was telling you, he introduced me to these people. We had some video calls, they made me an offer, a very good one considering the potential of the software, so I went to LA a couple of months ago to close the deal and do all the legal paperwork."
Hanna "So there was no conference there…" She says softly.
Caleb "There was. I just went there only one day to attend a very interesting talk about AI and its impact on cybersecurity. But yes, I spent the rest of the days making arrangements for the sale."
Hanna "Why didn't you tell me, Caleb?"
Caleb takes a deep breath and looks at her sincerely. "You already had a lot on your plate, and this was something pretty huge. It could also have come to nothing. It wasn't a hundred percent sure. I didn't want to worry you. You've been so busy and stressed with work and the pregnancy. I figured I'd tell you once everything was settled, and we could celebrate. Plus, I wanted it to be a surprise... a good one."
Hanna's expression softens. "I understand, but I'd rather know what's going on, even if it's stressful. We're a team, right?"
Caleb smiles. "Right. I promise, no more secrets." He kisses her hand. "And we're not just a team, by the way. We're a family, and that's why I did it in the first place."
Hanna stares at him, expecting him to elaborate.
Caleb "I thought we could use the money to get us an apartment here in New York… I've been looking up some places, and I could only afford a small one, but it would be enough for us to have a second home here. You just said it yourself, everything will be so different for us once Hallie's here… I figured hotel rooms and Airbnb apartments worked okay for you and me, but let's be realistic, Han. Your business keeps growing, and you'll need to be here more often. Packing suitcases and moving around with a little girl… We need a place that feels like home here as well. And we could bring Chocolate with us, so your mom doesn't have to take care of him every time."
By the time Caleb finishes, Hanna's eyes are watery, completely touched.
Caleb "So? What do you think about it?"
Hanna "Gosh, Caleb!" She only says, sitting up to pull him into a hug.
Caleb, still in the embrace, stands up from his chair and moves to sit on the edge of her bed, so Hanna doesn't have to be in an uncomfortable position to hug him.
Hanna "I don't even know where to start." She adds as Caleb's hands rub her back.
Caleb "You don't have to say anything right now. Just think about it. I want what's best for us and for Hallie."
Hanna pulls back slightly to look at him. "I love you so much." She says, before cupping his cheek and starting a kiss.
Caleb's eyes shut as he kisses her back, enjoying the soft caresses of her thumb on his cheek as he keeps brushing his fingertips against her lower back, stroking her through the fabric of the hospital gown she's wearing.
Hanna "Are you sure that's what you want to spend your money on?" She asks softly after breaking the kiss, keeping her hand on his face as she doesn't stop with the soft caresses. "Because I wasn't planning on coming here that often once Hallie is here anyway. I mean… maybe twice a month will be enough for me to keep things running here, and having Leo and Chloe plus an assistant will make it all easier…"
Caleb "Han, you say that now, but again, let's be realistic. More fashion shows will come up for you and also many other huge opportunities. And everything happens here in New York, that's a reality."
Hanna "You don't think I'll be able to make it work?" She asks, her tone a bit sad. "Are you afraid I'll start working too much again and have you and the baby going here and there after me? Because I promise you that won't happen."
Caleb shakes his head, closing his eyes and kissing her cheek several times. "No, baby. It's not that." He reassures her, opening his eyes again and looking directly into hers. "It's actually the opposite. I know you'll try to make it work between your career and us, but… there will be moments when it will get harder, maybe even impossible. When that time comes, and you have to make choices, I have no doubt we will be your priority. So… I just want to make things easier for you, for us, and minimize those times. I'm just planning ahead, okay? I want us to have options. I don't want you to miss out on things. It's about making things easier for all of us. And yes, I do want to spend my money on this because it's for our family's future. While Hallie is young, she and I will come to New York with you every time you need, but we'll need a home here for it to work. When she starts school, that will be a whole different thing, but we don't need to worry about it now. So? Wouldn't you like to have a place here where you can come back from work and feel at home?"
Hanna smiles again and opts to respond with another kiss this time.
She leans in, closing the gap between them. Their lips meet softly, tenderly, transmitting their deep feelings of love. Caleb's hand cradles the back of her head, fingers threading gently through her hair. Hanna's hand rests on his cheek, her thumb still caressing his skin. The kiss is slow and meaningful, a much-needed moment of connection and intimacy in the midst of the stressful and scary situation they are currently facing. Caleb's other hand strokes her back, their bodies close, sharing this intimate embrace. The world outside fades away for a moment.
Caleb pulls away slightly, looking into her eyes. "So, is that a yes?"
Hanna smiles. "It's a yes. I love the idea, and I love you."
Caleb smiles back, massaging the back of her neck.
Hanna "But we'll join forces. I told you I have my savings too… I was considering buying the building of my Rosewood store and stop renting it, but this is much more important. We'll get the perfect apartment for us."
Caleb nods. "The payment for my software is on hold until we finish the transfer and it's completely and properly running from their own servers. They've also requested a few modifications that I'm still working on, but if everything goes as planned, we could start looking for an apartment in just over a month."
Hanna smiles again. "I think we'll be pretty busy with our little one by then, but sure, we can start looking online and take it easy. There's no rush." She closes her eyes and rests her forehead on Caleb's.
Caleb "We'll both take things easy from now on, Han…" He says softly, placing his hand on her belly. "I just want to take you both home right now." He sighs. "I'll take care of you, very, very much."
Hanna "You already do, baby. You always have. This won't be more than just a scare." She hugs him again, resting her head on his shoulder, her face close to his neck.
Caleb suddenly grins, feeling the baby moving under his palm. "She's saying hello."
Hanna laughs softly, her hand joining his on her belly as she keeps embracing Caleb with her other arm. "I know you can't wait to meet your amazing, sweet, and handsome as hell daddy, Hallie. But we really need you to stay in there for at least three more weeks, little one. So, I'll have your daddy all to myself until then, but I promise I'll share him with you a little when you are born." She says against his neck, her breath warming his skin there. "Just a little." She remarks, before pressing a tender kiss on his neck.
Caleb's smile widens.
The nurse enters the room, interrupting their intimate moment as a family.
Nurse "Time for another shot, Hanna." She says, as Caleb moves away and sits back in his chair.
Hanna nods, already pulling her sheets down to uncover her legs.
The nurse prepares the injection and starts disinfecting her skin with a cotton pad.
Hanna "Um… Can't it be on my other thigh this time? It still hurts a bit from the last shot." She asks in a shy tone of voice.
Nurse "Sure, no problem."
The nurse shifts to her other leg. Hanna takes a deep breath and looks away. She feels Caleb's hand meeting hers and intertwining their fingers together. She swallows hard when she feels the needle prick her skin, a sharp sting spreading through her thigh. The sensation deepens as the nurse administers the injection, a dull ache following the initial pain. Hanna squeezes Caleb's hand, focusing on his comforting presence to get through it.
Caleb "I'm sorry you have to go through all this." He tells Hanna once the nurse is gone.
Hanna "It's okay… I'm doing it for her." She places her hand on her belly as she picks up her phone with the other. "Just keeping in mind that those shots are for her tiny lungs. It's totally worth it." She smiles a little. "Wouldn't you do the same for this cute little face?" She asks Caleb, showing him her phone.
Caleb smiles, seeing the picture from Hanna's last 6D ultrasound from last Monday, the one where Hallie's face is very clear, and she has the palm of her tiny hand pressed to one of her cheeks. "I would take a bullet for that cute little face."
Hanna smiles back. "So you totally get the feeling."
Caleb nods.
/
That afternoon.
Dr. Larson "Good news, Hanna." He says as he takes off his medical gloves after examining her. "There's no dilation, and you haven't had another contraction in a few hours. You're officially no longer in labor."
Hanna and Caleb's faces light up with huge smiles as they look at each other.
Dr. Larson "We'll keep you for another day to complete Hallie's medications for her lungs, and then we can discuss the conditions under which you'll be able to go home tomorrow."
Hanna "Thank you so much, Dr. Larson."
Caleb "Yes, thank you. This is the best news we could have hoped for."
Dr. Larson nods and gives them a reassuring smile before leaving the room.
Hanna leans back against her pillows, exhaling a deep sigh of relief. Caleb takes her hand, his thumb gently stroking her knuckles.
Caleb "We're almost there, Han. Just one more day."
Hanna "I know. I can't wait to go home. I miss Chocolate so much."
Caleb "Speaking of him, maybe you should call your mom now and tell her what's going on, Han. Now that we know everything's alright."
Hanna "Yeah, I'll give her a call. She'll suspect something is going on anyway when I tell her we won't pick Chocolate up until tomorrow. I better just tell her the truth…"
Caleb nods.
Hanna "Oh, I completely forgot to tell you! Lucas said you could go to his place to shower or whatever you need anytime. He said he wouldn't be there, but he was going to leave a key for you with the doorman… Wanna go there now that everything's okay here?"
Caleb shakes his head. "I'll go there later tonight when the city is calmer so I can come back quicker." He says, sitting in his chair and taking his phone.
Hanna "You sure? You can take your time and even have some rest there. I'm okay now. You look pretty tired."
Caleb "I'll have plenty of rest tomorrow when we go home. I'm okay, babe." He says, already typing on his phone. "The guys are organizing dinner at Ezra and Aria's. I'll just tell them you're tired and that we'll stay home."
Hanna "It's okay, tell them the truth if you want. They'll find out it's a lie anyway. Toby and Spencer will notice we aren't home."
Caleb "Yeah, you're totally right."
Hanna takes her phone to her ear. "I'm calling my mom now, so there's no need to keep this a secret anymore."
Caleb nods, still typing on his phone.
Hanna "Hey, mom! How are you?" she cheerfully says on her phone. "I'm doing well. Listen, mom, don't freak out, but…" She pauses. "I'm at a clinic here in New York. Everything's okay now, and Caleb and I will be back in Rosewood by tomorrow. I'll need you to keep Chocl—" Ashley interrupts Hanna, so she has to stop. Caleb can even hear Ashley's voice through Hanna's phone from his chair. "Mom, we are okay! Don't worry, okay? I was having contractions, but they stopped them. I'm telling you they're releasing me tomorrow…"