A bit more than a week later.
Hanna "Ugh! I need Hallie to come out now, like this very moment. I can't take it anymore!" She complains while struggling to sit up in bed. "I can't even breathe properly…"
Spencer "Chill, Han… You're going to go into labor any minute." She reassures her, moving closer to help her up. "Your doctor said she's already in position and everything looks perfect. She'll be here before you know it."
Hanna "It's been three freaking days since my due date, Spencer… But it feels like an eternity. I can't take another day." She grumbles as she finally stands. "Maybe they gave me too much medication to keep her in when I almost delivered early, and now she's never coming out."
Spencer chuckles. "I'm pretty sure that's not how it works, Han."
Hanna "Stop laughing, you're just as annoying as Caleb!"
Spencer "We're not trying to be annoying, we're trying to help. You're just a bit moody, and that's why I'm here, to give Caleb a break so he can have a beer in peace. But I get it. I was in your shoes just a month ago, and no matter how much of a pain in the ass you are right now, I'm here for you."
Hanna sighs and leans on Spencer for support. "I just want this to be over…"
Spencer "I know, Han. But maybe we can do something to help you feel a little better while you wait. How about a short walk around the block? Fresh air might do you some good. Or we could try some gentle stretches… nothing intense, just enough to relieve some of that discomfort."
Hanna "I don't know, Spence… I'm so tired…"
Spencer "I get that, but sometimes a little movement can make a big difference. Plus, it might help speed things along with Hallie…"
Hanna nods. "Alright… let's go for a walk. I could use some fresh air."
/
Spencer carefully helps Hanna as they start to descend the stairs, one step at a time.
Spencer "Easy does it, Han. We'll take it slow."
Hanna "Slow is the only speed I've got right now…"
As they reach the middle of the stairs, Caleb appears at the bottom, glancing up with concern. It's been a couple of days since last time Hanna was downstairs.
Caleb "You two okay? Need a hand?"
Spencer shakes her head, smiling. "We've got it, Caleb. Go back and enjoy your beer with Toby."
Caleb stays at the bottom of the stairs, watching them descend. "I just want to make sure you're okay, Han. Maybe you should sit down for a bit when you reach the couch? I can bring you some water or-"
Hanna snaps, interrupting him. "Caleb, I don't need to be babied! I'm not helpless, I'm just pregnant!"
Spencer shoots Caleb a look, half-apologetic, half-warning. "She's fine, Caleb. We're just going for a little walk to get her mind off things."
Caleb backs away slightly. "Okay, okay, I just want to help…"
Hanna "Then help by giving me some space!" She says, clearly frustrated.
Spencer "Come on, Han, let's get outside. Fresh air will do you good."
Caleb sighs and heads back to the living room where Toby is sitting on the couch, holding Liam with one arm and a beer in the other hand. The TV is on, showing a football game. Finn is playing with a couple of dinosaurs and a toy plane, despite Spencer's earlier attempt to explain that planes didn't exist when dinosaurs were around. This, of course, led Finn to ask why there aren't dinosaurs anymore, which led to questions about death, prompting Spencer to find an excuse to abandon the conversation and just let the kid play with his toys.
Caleb flops down on the couch next to Toby, running a hand through his hair. "Man, I just don't know what to do anymore. Everything I say is wrong."
Toby "Chill, bud. It's not you. Everything you say is going to be wrong, no matter what. Just relax and enjoy your beer." He says, still focused on the TV.
Caleb "Please tell me this ends once the baby's born." He grabs his beer from the coffee table.
Toby "Nope, it doesn't…"
Caleb lets out a deep breath and leans back on the couch.
Toby "But it does get better." He adds with a small smile.
Finn approaches Caleb, holding out one of his dinosaurs. "Wanna play, uncle Caweb?"
Caleb grins, feeling a bit lighter. "Sure, buddy! But only if I get to use the biggest dinosaur!"
Finn nods eagerly and runs off to get the biggest dinosaur.
/
Half an hour later.
Hanna and Spencer return from their walk. They find Caleb sitting on the floor with Finn, in the middle of a dinosaur battle. Toby is pacing around, trying to soothe a fussy Liam, who's clearly not in the mood to settle down.
Hanna smiles at the scene as she slowly walks over to the couch. "Looks like you two are having fun…"
Caleb looks up but doesn't say a word. He's trying to avoid saying anything that might set Hanna off again. He gives her a small smile and then turns his attention back to Finn, who's making roaring sounds with his dinosaur.
Toby glances over at Hanna and Spencer. "How was the walk?"
Spencer "Good. I think it helped a bit." She says, giving Hanna a knowing look.
Hanna "Yeah, it was nice to get some fresh air…" She adds while sitting down on the couch.
Finn suddenly abandons the game and runs over to Spencer, tugging at her hand. "I need to pee, mommy."
Spencer smiles down at him. "Okay, let's go, baby." She says, leading him to the bathroom.
With the little boy occupied, Caleb gets up from the floor, brushing off his jeans, and moves to sit next to Hanna on the couch. Her exhaustion is clear, but he doesn't say a word, remembering how his earlier attempts to help hadn't gone over well. Instead, he simply leans back, casually slipping his hand under the fabric of her top to gently rub her back. The tension in Hanna's shoulders starts to melt away, and she leans into his side, feeling his warmth.
Hanna "I'm sorry, baby." She whispers after a moment.
Caleb presses a soft kiss to her temple, his hand continuing its soothing motion.
Hanna "I'm just so uncomfortable, and it irritates me."
Caleb "It's okay, Han. I get it."
They sit in comfortable silence as Toby continues pacing around with Liam.
/
A few minutes later.
Spencer comes back with Finn, holding his hand.
Spencer "Alright, time to head home, babe." She addresses Toby.
Toby simply nods, but Finn tugs on her hand, shaking his head.
Finn "I don' wanna go home, mommy. I wanna keep playin' dinos wif uncle Caweb."
Spencer "We're going home now, baby. You need a bath before dinner, and besides, auntie Hanna needs to rest."
Finn looks at Hanna, then back at his mom. "But auntie Hanna isn't tired! Uncle Caweb said she's been sweepin' like a wog but she's still gwumpy as hew."
The room falls silent. Caleb's eyes widen as he realizes what Finn just said. He glances nervously at Hanna, who's glaring at him, her expression darkening.
Spencer and Toby freeze, unsure whether to intervene or quietly back away.
Hanna "Really, Caleb?" She snaps, pulling away from him abruptly. Without another word, she heads for the stairs, but as she reaches the bottom, she hesitates, realizing she can't make it up as easily or as quickly as she wants, not without getting winded. Frustrated, she turns and storms off toward the bathroom instead, slamming the door behind her.
Caleb winces, rubbing the back of his neck as he stands up.
Caleb "Well, I guess I'm in trouble…" He mutters under his breath. He quickly turns to Spencer and Toby. "Sorry about that. Thanks for coming over. You guys can let yourselves out, right?"
Toby "Yeah, sure, man. Good luck." He says, giving Caleb a sympathetic look.
Spencer "Maybe don't say anything else until she cools down." She suggests with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.
Caleb nods, forcing a quick smile before heading after Hanna, hoping he can fix this mess.
As Caleb reaches the bathroom door, he knocks gently, bracing himself for what comes next.
Hanna "Go away!"
Caleb sighs and pauses for a moment, then tries again.
Caleb "I'm sorry, okay? It was just a stupid comment I made out of frustration earlier."
Suddenly, the door flies open, and for a moment, Caleb thinks his apology worked. But that hope quickly fades.
Hanna "You think I sleep like a log?" She asks, infuriated, her face already streaked with tears. "I barely close my eyes at night anymore, and you know that. Those tiny naps I manage during the day are all the sleep I get. You think I'm grumpy as hell? Well, I'd like to see how cheerful you'd be if you were in my shoes! I can't even breathe properly anymore, my feet are killing me, my back hurts so much I can barely stand, and my boobs are so swollen I want to chop them off." She pauses, sniffling, her voice trembling. "My whole body aches, I'm uncomfortable all the time… and you…" She tries to continue, but her breath catches, and she has to pause again. "You don't get to make light of how I feel. You don't get to dismiss my pain with a joke."
Tears spill over as she turns away, retreating back into the bathroom and slamming the door shut behind her.
Caleb sighs again. This is worse than he thought. "Han, babe… you know it's not like that. I'd never try to minimize your pain or joke about it. You know better than that. I've been here with you through all of this. I'll never truly understand what you're going through, but I've always supported you. And I'm so grateful to you for going through this so we can have our baby… I've told you that a hundred times. So please—"
He doesn't finish because the door suddenly opens again. This time, Hanna is bent over the sink, supporting herself with her hands. Her face is still wet with tears, but now her expression isn't angry, it's pained, and she's taking deep breaths.
Caleb looks at her in shock. "Are you…?"
Hanna nods, still with her head down.
Caleb rushes to her, gently grabbing her arm while wrapping his other arm around her torso. "Let's get you back to the couch."
Hanna shakes her head. "Let's… just wait… until this one… passes." She says between breaths.
Caleb nods and stays there, holding her from behind.
After a few moments, Hanna finally straightens up.
Caleb "Is it gone now?" He asks softly, brushing her hair off her neck before placing a tender kiss there.
Hanna nods slightly.
Caleb "I'm sorry, baby. I just love you too much. I'd never—"
Hanna "I know." She cuts him off, turning around in his arms. "I'm in labor… I'm so scared…" She confesses, sliding her arms around him and resting her cheek against his chest.
Caleb "Everything's going to be fine, Han." He smiles softly. "This is really happening…" He exhales in relief. "I just wish this hadn't started in the middle of a fight, but… you're finally in labor."
Hanna "It didn't just start now… I felt a contraction earlier when we were on the couch. I was just waiting for the guys to leave before I told you."
Caleb presses a tender kiss to her hair. "Our whole world is about to change, Han…"
Hanna takes a deep breath. "I know… it's really happening, and I don't know if I'm ready."
Caleb gently lifts her chin so their eyes meet. "Hey, we're ready. Now it's just a matter of meeting our little one. And when it gets tough, I'll be right here, holding your hand, probably saying all the wrong things, but I'll be here."
Hanna can't help but laugh through her tears. "You're already saying the right things."
Caleb grins and presses his forehead against hers. "Then I'll keep doing that." He takes a deep breath. "But let's skip the bathroom for now, okay? How about we get you settled somewhere a little more comfortable before the next contraction hits?"
Hanna nods, and Caleb walks her back to the couch. They sit together, Hanna resting her head on Caleb's shoulder. He wraps his arm around her.
Hanna glances up at him. "I'll text my mom. Can you call the clinic and let them know I'm in labor and that we'll be there in a couple of hours?"
Caleb nods, already pulling out his phone. "Sure, baby. I'll take care of it."
Chocolate jumps up onto the couch and settles down, resting his head on Hanna's lap.
Hanna smiles at him. "Hey, buddy… Are you ready to meet your little sister?" She strokes his neck gently.
/
A few hours later.
Caleb enters Hanna's room at the clinic, carrying a take-out coffee.
He walks over to the bed where Hanna is lying on her side, practicing deep breathing. Ashley sits in a chair next to the bed, gently caressing Hanna's hair.
Caleb "Here you go, Ash."
Ashley looks up and smiles as she takes the coffee from his hand. "Thanks."
Caleb "How're you feeling, Han?" he asks softly.
Hanna lets out a shaky breath, briefly glancing at Caleb as she squeezes Ashley's hand.
Ashley "The epidural should kick in soon." She stands up, giving Caleb her chair. "She'll feel better in no time." She adds as she heads toward the door. "I'll be right back, baby." She says to Hanna before leaving.
Caleb sits down and continues stroking Hanna's hair where Ashley left off.
Hanna "These contractions are so much worse than the ones in New York… so much more intense…"
Caleb "Yeah, that's probably because you didn't get this far into labor back then… but you've got this, Han. You're doing great." He reassures her, squeezing her hand.
Hanna closes her eyes, focusing on her breathing.
Caleb "Just think about all the sushi you'll get to eat when we go back home." His voice is tender, trying to lift her spirits.
Hanna opens her eyes and manages a weak smile. "I can't even… think about food right now."
Caleb chuckles softly. "Then think about bringing Hallie home and introducing her to Chocolate."
Hanna smiles slightly, closing her eyes again as another contraction begins.
/
A few more hours later.
Hanna is in active labor, and the contractions are hitting hard and fast, giving her barely any time to catch her breath between each one.
Hanna "I swear to god, Caleb, if that nurse suggests I sit on that stupid ball one more time, I'm gonna throw something at her head."
Caleb "She's just trying to help, babe."
Hanna is half-sitting in bed, her face tight with pain, and Caleb sits on the edge, holding her hand.
Hanna "Yeah, but I've already told her a million times I—"
She doesn't finish her sentence as another contraction crashes over her, even more intense than the last.
Hanna "Oh my God!" She cries out, gripping Caleb's hand tightly and squeezing her eyes shut. "Go get… someone, Caleb." She gasps, nearly out of breath as she arches her back and folds her legs up. "I really… need to push."
Caleb "I'll be right back." He releases her hand, his heart racing as he rushes to the door.
On his way out, he nearly crashes into Ashley, who's just walking into the room.
Caleb "Sorry, Ash." He says, dodging her just in time.
Ashley looks confused for a second as Caleb rushes down the hallway, but then she turns to Hanna and immediately understands. Hanna's eyes are pleading for help. She swiftly moves to her side, taking her hand.
Ashley "I'm here, baby. I'm here."
Caleb returns in no time with Hanna's doctor and a nurse.
Hanna "I can't do… this anymore… please, make it stop." she cries out again, clearly exhausted.
Dr. Bowen "It's okay, Hanna. You're almost there. Let me check." The doctor moves to examine her.
Caleb "Oh my God!" He blurts out, completely shocked as he takes a step back.
Hanna "What?!" She asks, alarmed by Caleb's reaction.
Dr. Bowen "Everything's fine, Hanna. You're just crowning." She reassures her. "On your next contraction, I'll need you to push really hard, okay?"
Hanna nods, her face a mix of panic and determination. Her glassy eyes find Caleb's, and they lock for a moment.
Caleb takes a deep breath and moves closer. Ashley steps aside to let him take her place.
Caleb "I'm right here. You've got this, babe. Just a bit more." He holds her hand in both of his.
Ashley stands aside as the doctor and nurse prepare for the delivery, waiting for Hanna's next contraction. It doesn't take long.
Hanna's groan lets everyone know it's time.
Dr. Bowen "Okay, Hanna, on the count of three, I want you to push as hard as you can… One… Two… Three…"
Hanna grips Caleb's hand tighter as she pushes with all her strength.
Dr. Bowen "Good, Hanna! Keep going, just like that!"
Caleb squeezes her hand back, his voice steady but full of emotion. "You're doing amazing, babe. Just a little more."
Hanna lets out a cry. "I… I can't…" She gasps, struggling to catch her breath between pushes.
Dr. Bowen "Caleb is right, Hanna. You're doing great. Just one more big push, and you'll get to meet your baby."
Caleb leans close to her. "Yes, you can, babe. You're almost there. Just a little more, and she'll be here."
Hanna "I'm so tired…"
Caleb "I know…" He whispers softly. "But you're so close, and you've totally got this, Han. You're the strongest person I know."
Dr. Bowen "One more big push, Hanna!"
Hanna gathers every ounce of strength she has left, her whole body trembling as she pushes one last time.
Suddenly, the room fills with the sound of a baby's first cry. In that sweet moment, Hanna and Caleb lock eyes. Hanna looks exhausted but manages a smile.
Caleb smiles back. "Told you you could."
They both turn to see Dr. Bowen holding a tiny, squirming baby in her hands, Hallie. Caleb's eyes well up with tears immediately.
Dr. Bowen smiles as she carefully lifts the baby up for Hanna and Caleb to see. "Congratulations, you two. You've got a beautiful baby girl."
Hanna collapses back onto the bed, completely worn out, tears streaming down her face. She watches through blurry eyes as the nurse gently places the baby on her chest. The warmth and weight of her daughter make everything more real, filling her with emotions she's never felt before. Her hands move to the baby's back right away, holding her gently to her chest.
Hanna "Hi, my little girl… you're finally here… you're here, Hallie. You're real…" She says softly as tears continue to wet her cheeks, still unable to believe it.
The sound of Hanna's voice and the skin-to-skin contact quickly soothe the baby. She relaxes on her mom's chest in no time.
Hanna "Oh my god, you are so sweet."
She looks up at Caleb, who's speechless, tears streaming down his face as he watches the interaction between Hanna and their daughter. Noticing Hanna's eyes on him, he finally reacts and leans in closer.
Caleb "Hi, baby girl." He finally speaks to Hallie for the first time, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm your daddy, and I'm crying even harder than you." He chuckles through his tears and presses a very gentle kiss to the baby's head.
Hanna smiles at Caleb. "We did it."
Caleb takes his eyes off the baby for a moment to look at her. "You did it, babe. I'm so proud of you."
Hanna's smile widens as they both gaze back at their daughter.
Nurse "We'll take her to get cleaned up and checked over, then she'll be back with you in just a bit." She speaks softly and carefully takes the baby, who gives a small, sleepy cry as she's lifted from Hanna's chest. "Would the dad like to come with us?" She offers to Caleb.
Caleb hesitates for a moment, his eyes flicking from the baby to Hanna. He knows it's still not over for her.
Hanna nods at him, letting him know it's okay.
Caleb "I think grandma Ashley would love to accompany Hallie." He says, turning to look at Ashley.
Ashley grins and walks over to the nurse right away. She wipes a tear from her cheek while taking a closer look at her granddaughter. "She's precious, guys! Congratulations!" She shoots Hanna and Caleb a quick smile before following the nurse.
Dr. Bowen "Okay, Hanna… I'll need another push from you on your next contraction. But don't worry, the placenta comes out way more easily than the baby."
Hanna nods, letting out an exhausted breath. Then she looks up at Caleb, thankful he's still there with her. "You'll have to take care of Hallie because I think I'll sleep for three days straight after this."
Caleb chuckles, taking her hand. "Not a problem. I've got it covered." He uses his free hand to wipe Hanna's forehead with a cool cloth.
After expelling the placenta, Hanna rests back again, completely beat. As a couple of nurses clean her up and take care of her, Caleb pulls a chair closer and sits down, resting his arm on Hanna's mattress. He leans in closer to her.
Caleb "You're amazing, Han." He whispers and kisses her cheek tenderly.
Hanna's eyes are closed, but she tilts her head to the side, puckering her lips, asking for a kiss. Caleb is happy to oblige, pressing a loving kiss to her mouth. They remain in comfortable silence until Dr. Bowen addresses them again.
Dr. Bowen "Hanna, you did wonderfully. Now, you might experience some bleeding and cramping as your body adjusts. That's normal, but if anything feels off, let us know. Rest is key, and don't worry about Hallie. The nurses and Caleb have her covered until you're ready."
Hanna nods, grateful for the reassurance as she closes her eyes, finally letting herself relax.
/
Hanna is sound asleep when the sound of a strong baby cry breaks through her rest. She opens her eyes, a smile forming as she remembers exactly where she is and who's making that noise.
Caleb squeezes her hand, chuckling softly. "Sounds like all those meds they gave her in New York to help her lungs develop really did the trick."
They both look toward the door as Ashley enters the room, cradling Hallie in her arms. A nurse follows closely behind, pushing a small crib.
Ashley smiles warmly. "Hey there! Someone's very hungry and asking for her mommy."
Hanna's smile widens at the sight of Hallie, and she immediately starts to sit up. Caleb quickly adjusts the bed to a half-sitting position, making sure she's comfortable. Ashley then gently passes the baby to Hanna, who takes her daughter into her arms with a look of pure love.
The nurse, noticing the tender moment, steps forward with a gentle smile. "Hanna, have you thought about how you'd like to feed her? If you're planning to breastfeed, I'm here to help with anything you need."
Hanna nods, her eyes still fixed on Hallie. "Yeah… I'd like to try breastfeeding and see how we do with that…" She adds softly, holding the baby's tiny hand.
Caleb looks at Hanna, concerned. "Are you sure you're ready, babe? We could just give her a bottle if you need a little more time to recover, and you could try breastfeeding her later…"
Hanna glances up at Caleb with a reassuring smile. "I'm okay."
Caleb nods, stepping back to give her space as the nurse begins to guide Hanna through the process.
Ashley gently rubs Caleb's arm as they both watch Hanna and Hallie. "You did great too, Caleb. I'm proud of both of you."
Caleb smiles, exhaling deeply. "Thanks, Ash… Honestly, I was this close to freaking out a few times during the labor, but we made it!"
Ashley chuckles. "Congratulations, sweetie. You're an amazing dad to a beautiful baby girl."
Hanna grins as she looks down at Hallie. "Wow! This is actually working!" She says, her voice filled with amazement. "We've totally got this!"
The nurse smiles warmly. "You're both doing wonderfully. I'll give you some space, but don't hesitate to call if you need anything." With that, she steps back, allowing the family a bit of privacy.
Caleb and Ashley move closer to Hanna and the baby.
Caleb chuckles. "No doubt she's her mother's daughter, she was born hungry." He reaches out to gently stroke the baby's soft hair.
Ashley smiles. "She looks just like Hanna when she was born."
Caleb studies Hallie's tiny features. "Yeah, she's a mini Hanna… look at that hair, her little nose…"
Hanna smiles, running a fingertip across the baby's cheek. "She's only an hour old, babe. It's too soon to tell who she looks like… but she's beautiful, isn't she? I don't know if it's just because I'm her mom, but newborns don't usually look this good right after being born."
Ashley nods, smiling down at her granddaughter. "She's a little doll."
Ashley then steps back, sensing it's time to give them some space. "Well, I think my job here is done. I'll leave you two to enjoy this moment." She presses a kiss to Hanna's forehead, then gently kisses the side of Hallie's head. "Call me if you need anything. I'll be back later."
Hanna looks up at her mom. "Thanks for being here, mom. I couldn't have done this without you."
Ashley smiles at Hanna, her eyes full of pride. "You did amazing, baby. I'm so proud of you." She gently caresses Hanna's cheek. "You're a mother now."
Hanna chuckles softly. "I know, it's so crazy."
Ashley's voice is filled with warmth. "You're going to be a wonderful mother, sweetie. See you later."
Caleb takes a seat beside Hanna, his eyes tired but still reflecting his happiness. "She's feeding like a pro."
Hanna "Yeah, I was worried it wouldn't work right away, but this little one is a genius… Maybe that's what she got from you…"
Caleb grins. "What, the great ability to suck on your boobs?"
Hanna rolls her eyes, smiling. "You can't help yourself, can you?"
Caleb laughs, but then looks at Hallie again, his expression softening. "She really is beautiful…"
Hanna nods, her eyes full of love. "She really is. She's perfect."
Caleb "It couldn't be any other way, she's a Haleb baby." He reaches out and places his hand on the girl's chest and tummy, right where the onesie she's wearing says 'Haleb baby.'
Hanna grins and looks at him. "Happy birthday, babe, here's your present!" She jokes.
Caleb "Thanks, babe. I love it!" He plays along.
Hanna laughs.
Caleb leans in closer, his tone more serious. "How does it feel, breastfeeding?"
Hanna "I don't know…" She chuckles. "Kind of weird, I guess… It hurts a little, but it's okay. My boobs felt like they were about to explode, so this is kind of a relief."
Caleb nods thoughtfully. "I bet it is."
Hanna then glances down at Hallie. "I should probably switch her to the other side."
Caleb stands up. "Need me to get the nurse?"
Hanna shakes her head. "I think I can handle it."
She carefully pulls Hallie away from her breast, and the baby immediately starts crying, clearly unhappy with the interruption.
Caleb chuckles. "Yep, definitely your daughter."
Hanna smirks. "Don't listen to your dad, Hallie… just make sure you turn all this milk into the most hideous poop you can manage, because he's the one changing your diaper later." She adjusts her bra.
Caleb laughs. "Fair enough. I'll keep the jokes to a minimum."
Hanna soothes the baby as she brings her to the other breast. "There you go, little one."
Caleb looks at Hanna. "Want some water?"
Hanna nods. "Yeah, that'd be great."
Caleb grabs a bottle, holding it to Hanna's lips as she takes a few sips.
Hanna "Thanks, baby."
They share a quiet moment while Hanna finishes feeding Hallie.
Hanna looks down at the now sleepy baby. "I think she's out."
Caleb peeks over. "Yeah, she's not sucking anymore."
Hanna chuckles softly. "I'm almost afraid to move her and wake her up again."
Caleb starts to get up. "I'll grab her pacifier."
Hanna stops him. "Wait, let's burp her first… just in case."
Caleb nods. "Good idea."
Hanna is about to take care of it when Caleb steps forward, looking a little nervous but excited.
Caleb "Uhm… can I do it? I haven't held her yet and…"
Hanna's eyes soften. "Oh, baby, of course. I didn't even realize… everything's such a blur."
Caleb smiles. "It's okay. It's all happening so fast."
Hanna carefully hands Hallie to Caleb. He holds her for the first time, his heart swelling as he looks down at his tiny daughter. His hands are gentle as he supports her head and back, overwhelmed by just how small and perfect she is.
Caleb whispers softly to Hallie. "Hi, baby girl. I'm your daddy…" His voice trembles with emotion, and he swallows hard, blinking back tears.
He lightly pats her back, careful and tender, until he feels the softest little burp. He chuckles, a mix of amazement and relief.
Hanna smiles, watching them. The sight of Caleb holding Hallie, so delicate and gentle, melts her heart. Her eyes start feeling heavy, and after a yawn, she finally shuts them, knowing Hallie couldn't be in better hands.