It wasn't at first sight

by ByAllegra

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

78. Chapter 78

Caleb smiles, turning off the engine of Hanna's car and looking back at her and Hallie in the backseat. "Alright, we're home, my girls."

Hanna grins, reaching for the door handle. "I can't wait!"

Caleb steps out of the car and circles around to open the rear door, lifting Hallie's baby seat out carefully.

Hanna, standing beside him, practically bounces with excitement. "I'm so excited!"

Caleb grins back at her, shutting the door. "Wanna carry her? I'll grab my phone and film the whole thing."

Hanna nods eagerly, taking the baby seat from him. "Let's go meet your big brother, Halls." She whispers in a sweet tone to the sleeping baby.

As they reach the front door, the sound of Chocolate's excited barking greets them from the other side. The dog has been staying at Ashley's for the last couple of days, and she and Ted just dropped him off about an hour ago so that Hanna and Caleb could have this moment to introduce their baby to him.

Caleb unlocks the door, pulling out his phone to record. "Alright, here we go…"

As he pushes the door open, Chocolate, who would normally leap excitedly to greet Hanna and Caleb, stays unusually still. His eyes are fixed on the baby seat Hanna is carrying, as if he already caught Hallie's scent through the door. Now, he's alert and curious about this 'new thing' his owners brought home.

Hanna laughs softly, stepping inside with Hallie. "Hi, buddy! I've got something for you!"

As she heads to the living area, Chocolate follows closely, his tail wagging and nose working overtime to get a better sniff of the baby seat. Caleb trails behind, recording everything on his phone.

Hanna "This is your little sister, Chocolate." She explains, gently placing the baby seat on the floor so he can get a closer look.

Chocolate sniffs Hallie's blanket, tilting his head as if trying to figure out what this tiny new human is all about. He lets out a soft, confused whine, then gives the edge of the seat a little lick.

Caleb, still recording, chuckles. "He's probably wondering why she's not petting him yet."

Hanna smiles. "Give her time, Chocolate! She's just too little right now… but I promise you she'll be pulling on your ears in no time."

Chocolate's tail wags again, and he looks up at Hanna expectantly, his head cocked to one side. She reaches out and gives him a scratch behind the ears.

Hanna "You're gonna be the best big brother, huh?"

Caleb moves closer, getting a better angle on his phone.

After another curious glance at Hallie, Chocolate lies down in front of the baby seat, resting his head on the edge, just near her tiny body.

Caleb laughs. "I think he likes her already."

Hanna sighs, a soft smile on her face. "I think I'm about to die of love right here." She blinks rapidly, wiping her eyes before tears can fall.

Caleb stops recording and steps closer, resting his arm around her shoulders. "This is a dream come true, Han." He presses a kiss to her temple.

Hanna leans into him, her gaze still on Chocolate and Hallie. "This is even more than I dreamed of."

/

A few days later.

Hanna and Caleb have spent the past few days adjusting to life as new parents. Aside from Hanna and Hallie's checkups at the clinic, most of their time has been spent at home, figuring things out together. They've had visits from their closest friends, all excited to meet Hallie. Of course, their nieces and nephews have had their own unique reactions to the tiny new addition to the family.

Dante didn't pay much attention to her, he's still very little himself, while the twins were over the moon, wanting to do everything from holding her to dressing her up. At one point, Lily even tried to give Hallie a lick of her lollipop, so Emily had to step in and explain that Hallie wasn't a doll for them to play with.

For Finn, though, it was a bit harder. Just like when his own little brother was born, he struggled with seeing his favorite Auntie Hanna holding a baby of her own. He wouldn't look at her or speak to her at first, awkwardly shy and pretending to be busy playing with Chocolate to avoid the situation. Hanna couldn't help but feel a little sad about it.

But things changed during his second visit. It started off awkward again, but Hanna sat down on the floor next to him while he played with his dinosaurs and began asking him about them. Little by little, she got him talking again, and soon enough, they were playing together, laughing like they always did. Before leaving with his parents, Finn even surprised everyone by walking over to Hallie to say goodbye. And, in true Finn fashion, he made the adults burst out laughing when he casually said, "She's not that ugly" before turning back to grab Spencer's hand.

Now it's Friday evening, and Hanna is lying on her bed, on her stomach, staring at Hallie, who's sound asleep on her back next to her.

Caleb "Hey!" He greets Hanna softly, stepping into the room.

Hanna's gaze shifts briefly to him. "Hey! Did you get the groceries in Philly? Why'd you take so long?"

Caleb "The store was crazy crowded…" He explains, kicking off his shoes. He lies down on his stomach on the other side of Hallie, leaving the baby between them. "What's with the giant teddy bear downstairs? Did she get new visitors?"

Hanna shakes her head slightly, her eyes back on Hallie. "It's from my dad. He sent it over but didn't come by."

Caleb's gaze follows hers as they both watch their daughter nap.

Hanna "I love her so much…" She murmurs after a moment. "She can't be this cute. Have you seen her tiny nostrils? They're freaking heart-shaped. I can't handle it. She sneezed earlier, and it was so adorable... I feel like my heart's going to explode all the time since she was born."

Caleb chuckles. "Welcome to my world, Han. I've felt that way ever since I met you."

Hanna smiles softly at him. "I'm serious... I still can't believe her."

Caleb "Yeah, I know... I still can't believe we made her." He says, reaching out to gently caress Hallie's palm with his index finger. "She's just perfect." He pauses, taking in the sight of his tiny, peacefully sleeping daughter, then adds with a laugh, "Our lives are totally screwed now, baby. Do you realize? We'll never have peace again. From now on, our mental health depends entirely on this tiny creature. I feel like I need to protect her at all costs... It's like she's my heart running around outside my body, totally exposed to this crazy world... and I have to keep her safe."

Hanna chuckles. "Luckily for you, it'll be a while before these tiny legs start running all around." She smiles, gently stroking one of Hallie's thighs.

Caleb "But you get what I mean, right?" He continues. "I already had enough to worry about with you, and now I've got her too... it'll be no sleepovers or camps for her, no nights away from home... I'm even going to college with her."

Hanna gives him a tender smile. "Yes, baby, I get your point. We'll do everything we can to protect her. But we'll also raise her to be a smart girl who makes good decisions, who knows how to take care of herself and the people she loves. Because life is life, and we can't always be there. So, if she ever decides to go to college, she'll be perfectly fine."

Caleb grins. "Yeah, well... she's never leaving her daddy, right Hallie?" He carefully wraps an arm around the baby and gently pulls her closer to his chest.

Hanna just chuckles, deciding to let him be. After all, Hallie's only a few days old. There will be plenty of time for Caleb to come to terms with her growing up and becoming more independent. For now, they get to enjoy every moment with her. Moving closer, Hanna wraps her arm around Caleb's waist, leaning into both him and Hallie. She presses her lips softly against Hallie's head, breathing in that sweet baby scent she loves so much.

After enjoying a few minutes of quiet cuddling, Hanna pulls back slightly from Hallie to look up at Caleb.

Hanna "Spencer texted me. The guys are getting together at their place, and she wanted to know if we're up for it. Toby's making pasta. I told her to count us in…"

Caleb "Are you sure? I was thinking we could have a special night to ourselves... Let's just stay in and enjoy a cozy Friday night together…"

Hanna "That sounds really good, baby..." She says, reaching up to caress his cheek. "But I need to get out of the house... I'll go crazy if I stay here much longer, and it's just next door, perfect for Hallie's first little outing."

Caleb nods. "Okay then..." He says, though not entirely convinced.

Hanna "Great!" She sits up. "I'll take a shower, and then we can head over."

/

Later on.

Caleb finishes changing Hallie's diaper in her room and heads back to their bedroom.

Caleb "Han, you ready yet? Should I dress Hallie in her pram suit?" He asks, stepping inside.

Hanna "We aren't going anywhere."

She's sitting on the edge of the bed, her back to him. The bed is scattered with clothes, but she's still in her bathrobe.

Hanna "But you can go if you want. I'll just stay here with Hallie." Her voice cracks a little.

Caleb frowns, confused. "What's going on, Han?"

Hanna "Nothing." She stands up, walking toward him.

That's when he notices the tears on her cheeks.

Hanna "I don't have anything nice to wear!" She says, her voice tinged with frustration as she takes Hallie from his arms. "You go without me. I'll stay here."

Caleb "Han, you've got plenty of nice clothes. Take your time. It's fine. I'll wait for you downstairs."

Hanna "Nothing fits me!" Her voice is sharper now, frustration bubbling up. "I've tried on three different outfits, and I look… awful." She sits back down at the foot of the bed, holding Hallie close.

Caleb "Come on, babe. You always look good. Just pick something, and we'll head out."

Hanna stares at the floor, her shoulders slumping further as she holds Hallie. She shakes her head. "You don't get it, Caleb." Her voice is quieter now, but shaky. "I just don't feel like me anymore. None of these clothes fit, and I can't even..." She trails off, unable to finish her thought as tears stream down her cheeks.

Caleb moves closer, his hand reaching out to rest on her shoulder.

Caleb "Han..."

Hanna shakes her head and stands up quickly, gently putting Hallie back in her bassinet. She wipes her tears roughly with the back of her hand.

Hanna "No, Caleb, just go. Please." She turns away, her voice breaking. "Tell Spencer and everyone I said hi."

Caleb sighs. "We could still stay in and have a special dinner-"

Hanna "No." She cuts him off. "I'm not in the mood. Just leave… I need some space right now. I'll be fine." She wipes her tears again.

Caleb "I don't want to leave you like this…"

Hanna looks up at him. "Please, I'm asking you…"

Caleb hesitates, but after a moment, he nods and steps out of the bedroom.

/

Only a few minutes later.

Hanna is a bit calmer now. She's lying on the bed, half-sitting against pillows, when she hears a knock on the bedroom door. She's about to tell Caleb to go away, but then realizes he never knocks, it's his room too.

Spencer opens the door softly. "Hey, Han…"

Alison follows her in. "Hey…" She glances around at the clothes Hanna has tossed onto the floor before lying on the bed.

Hanna looks at them, confused, then realizes. Caleb must have sent them over to the rescue.

Hanna sighs. "If I murder Caleb, I can get away with it because of postpartum, right?"

Spencer smiles gently at her. "He just thought I could help."

Hanna "He can't just send you over every time I break down…"

Spencer "Why not? It's worked before… And I'm always happy to help." She sits beside Hanna at the edge of the bed.

Alison "Yeah, and I'm here for you too, Han." She climbs onto the bed as well, sitting on the other side. "We've been through this too, so we get it… I mean, I gave birth to twins. It took me a while to feel like myself again."

Spencer "Exactly, this is totally normal, Han. I promise you'll feel comfortable in your body again, but… for now, give yourself a break. You just had a baby."

Hanna nods, but tears start welling up again, spilling down her cheeks. "I know, but I just want to feel normal again."

Spencer nods understandingly. "Okay… if you feel ready, you can join me at the gym on Monday. My trainer made a special routine for me after Liam, and it's really helped. I'm sure he could work something out for you too."

Hanna "Yeah, that sounds good… I need to get out and clear my head."

Alison "Now let's find you something to wear. You're beautiful, Han. You could show up with no makeup and wearing a potato sack, and you'd still rock it."

Spencer "I agree one hundred percent. Hallie didn't get that cute face out of nowhere, she's got the prettiest mama in town." She says, glancing briefly at Hallie, who's sleeping peacefully in her bassinet.

Hanna smiles slightly through her tears.

Spencer smiles back, reaching out to wipe Hanna's tears with her thumbs. "You're still pretty, even when you cry."

Alison "Come on, get your butt out of bed." She says, already standing up. "I'll check your closet."

While Alison rummages through the closet, Hanna heads into the bathroom to wash her face, and Spencer starts picking up the clothes from the floor.

/

Toby "So, how's the search for that apartment in New York going? You guys find any places you like, or planning to visit soon?" He asks, stirring the sauce on the stove.

Caleb, standing next to him, holds baby Liam in one arm and a beer bottle in the other.

Caleb "We kind of paused the search after Hallie was born… These last few days have been crazy. Not that she's too much work, she sleeps most of the time, but, you know, with all the visitors, laundry piling up, and taking turns at night to get some sleep... life's just different now. Even Chocolate seems off with all the changes. It's not bad, just... different." He says, taking a sip of his beer.

Toby "Yeah, I get that." He sets the ladle down and grabs his own beer from the counter. "It feels that way until you settle into the new normal." After a few sips, he puts his bottle back down.

Caleb nods. "I'll start looking at places again in a few days. We're in no rush, though. I don't want Han stressing about it right now."

Just then, Spencer walks into the kitchen, interrupting their conversation.

Caleb "So?" He asks immediately, a mix of concern and expectation on his face.

Spencer grins. "She's in the living room with the others, looking radiant as ever. And she's wearing that big smile of hers... plus some seriously hot red lipstick." She winks.

Caleb grins, relieved. "Thanks, Spence. You're a genius. I'd be lost without you." He hugs her briefly, still holding his beer.

Spencer "I know." She chuckles. "And you're welcome." She takes Liam from Caleb. "Now, I'll take this little one back."

As Spencer leaves the kitchen, Jason enters.

Jason "You're totally screwed, man." He says casually, looking directly at Caleb before opening the fridge.

Caleb frowns, confused.

Jason smirks as he closes the fridge, grabbing another beer. "I just saw your baby girl. She's even more beautiful than last time, if that's possible. Enjoy these last peaceful years, because I guarantee there'll be a line of guys chasing her when she grows up. And I bet that baby Spencer's holding will be one of them." He grins, teasing.

Toby laughs. "Guys only? I'm thinking girls too." He adds, laughing.

Caleb's expression hardens. "Don't joke about my daughter."

Toby and Jason both laugh again.

Caleb "I'm serious." He says, giving Jason a cold, steady glare.

Jason raises his hands in mock surrender. "Chill, dude. Just messing with you."

Caleb doesn't budge. "Don't."

Jason chuckles, trying to defuse the tension. "That's what you get for making such a cute kid. You shouldn't have gone overboard with the beauty, her little face is insane." He taps Caleb on the shoulder, smiling.

Caleb smirks and takes a swig of his beer, still looking at Jason. "Yeah, well, Hallie's got all that from Hanna. Can't take credit for the beauty, she's just as gorgeous as her mom. I'm just the lucky guy along for the ride."

Hanna walks into the kitchen just in time to hear Caleb's words. She pauses, a soft smile spreading across her face as she listens from behind him. Caleb, with his back to her, doesn't notice her.

Hanna steps closer, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, lucky guy."

Caleb turns around, surprised but grinning when he sees her. "Hey, didn't see you there."

Hanna leans in, giving him a soft kiss on the cheek. "You know, for the record, Hallie got plenty of her cuteness from you too. I knew we'd make such a cute baby the moment I saw your baby pictures a few years ago."

Caleb "I'm glad you came." He wraps his arm around her waist.

Hanna "Well, you sent over the best rescue team. Ali and Spence? The only reason they haven't conquered the world is because they don't feel like it." She jokes.

Caleb grins and pecks her lips. "Where's Hallie?" He whispers against her mouth. "I miss her already."

Hanna "She's with Ali." She pulls away and takes his hand. "Come with us to the living room."

/

After dinner.

The kids are playing with Finn's toys in the living room while Aria, Hanna, Emily, and Alison relax on the couches, keeping an eye on them. The newborns are peacefully sleeping in their strollers, and the guys, along with Spencer, are playing poker at the dining table.

Emily "So, I freaked out and told Lily that a hooker is just someone who catches fish with a hook." She laughs.

The rest of the girls burst into laughter.

Hanna "I'll die if she ever calls Caleb or Toby hookers."

Emily grins. "I told her it's not a cool word to use, like it's old-fashioned, and that cool people just say 'fisher.' So, I don't think she'll repeat it."

Aria "Where did she even hear the word, anyway?"

Alison rolls her eyes. "Take a guess."

Aria "Oh, right. Jason." She says without hesitation.

Suddenly, Spencer's triumphant shout comes from the dining room: "Yes! Another victory for us! In your face, losers!"

Hanna chuckles. "Spencer's already in competitive-maniac mode. I think I'll go rescue my man from her." She stands up from the couch. "Can you keep an eye on Halls for me?"

Aria smiles. "Of course, Han!"

Emily "You mean that little angel over there?" She glances at Hallie. "Our pleasure." She grins at Hanna.

Hanna smiles back and walks away.

/

Hanna walks into the dining room just in time to see Spencer smugly collecting poker chips from the center of the table.

Spencer grins, clearly enjoying herself. "Hey, Han! You married a total loser, did you know?"

Hanna, approaching the table, leans in behind Caleb. "Yeah, well… at least he's hot, right?" She teases, sliding her arms around Caleb's shoulders from behind and placing a tender kiss on his cheek.

Caleb chuckles, looking up at her. "Hey, is that how you defend your husband?"

Hanna shrugs playfully. "I'm just stating the facts. Poker might not be your game, but you've got other talents."

Jason laughs from across the table. "Yeah, like getting his ass handed to him with a smile."

Caleb rolls his eyes but smiles. "At least I'm not losing to Jason here. Now that would be embarrassing."

Jason smirks. "Oh, really? Maybe you should find yourself a new poker partner… Why don't you team up with Hanna for the next round? I'd love to see that."

Toby laughs. "Yeah, I'd love to see that too."

Caleb chuckles, shaking his head. "Not happening… She sucks even more than Jason." He looks up at Hanna, smiling. "Sorry, babe. It's the truth… but at least you're hot." He teases, throwing her words back at her.

Hanna rolls her eyes. "Not my fault this game has too many stupid rules."

Spencer smirks. "I'll tell you what, I'll take Hanna on my team, just to prove I can still beat your asses no matter what."

Jason grins, leaning back in his chair. "Oh, I like that… but how about we make this more interesting?... Let's try strip poker." He raises his eyebrows suggestively.

Hanna, Spencer, Toby, and Caleb all shoot him looks of disapproval.

Spencer narrows her eyes. "Are you out of your mind? The kids are right in the other room."

Hanna crosses her arms. "You're disgusting, Jason."

Toby snorts. "Seriously, man. What, you trying to see our wives naked?"

Caleb doesn't say a word, but his steady, narrowed gaze says it all.

Jason raises his hands in mock surrender, grinning. "Hey, I'm just trying to shake things up. No need to get violent."

Toby stands up, leaving his seat for Hanna. "I'll grab more beer, since my partner in crime here, who also happens to be my wife, completely wiped me out for the next round."

Spencer shoots Toby a tender smile. "You know you're the best poker partner I could ask for. We're Bonnie and Clyde, baby. But... I still need to prove my point."

Hanna smirks as she sits down, picking up the cards. "So, what exactly do I win from this? I don't want money, I don't care about beating Caleb, I was actually here to rescue him…"

Caleb chuckles softly.

Hanna narrows her eyes at him. "What?"

Caleb grins, leaning back in his chair. "Nothing. You're just cute, thinking you can beat me."

Hanna maintains her serious expression for a moment, then breaks into a sly smile. "Cute, huh? We'll see about that." She shuffles the deck a bit clumsily, clearly unfamiliar with poker, but determined. "Alright, Spencer, let's show these guys what we're made of."

Spencer smirks confidently. "You're on."

Jason laughs. "This is gonna be good."

As Toby returns with the beers, he raises an eyebrow at the sight of Hanna dealing cards. "Whoa, we really doing this? Hanna's in?"

Hanna nods, her eyes narrowing in mock focus. "Yep. And I plan to win."

Caleb exchanges a glance with Jason, both of them smiling in amusement. "Alright, babe." He says, leaning forward with a teasing grin. "But just so you know, I won't go easy on you."

Hanna smirks, her competitive streak kicking in. "I don't expect you to. In fact, if I win, you're taking the night shifts with Hallie for the next week."

The table erupts into laughter.

Spencer nods in approval. "Now that's some real motivation."

Caleb chuckles, shaking his head. "Deal. But if I win… you're learning how to play poker for real."

Hanna raises her chin defiantly. "Deal."

Spencer shuffles the cards expertly and starts the game. "Alright, let's make this interesting."

The atmosphere lightens up even more, everyone exchanging playful banter. Hanna fumbles through her cards, clearly lost, but Spencer leans in to give her tips.

Jason watches with a smirk. "This might be the funniest thing I've ever seen."

/

The game is nearing its final moments, tension building around the table. Hanna, still a bit clueless, has somehow managed to stay in the game. Caleb, Jason, and Spencer are all focused on their cards, though the playful banter hasn't stopped.

Caleb leans back, smirking at Hanna. "You sure you want to keep going, babe? You're in pretty deep."

Hanna narrows her eyes in mock determination, studying her cards as if she knows exactly what she's doing. "I've got this."

Jason chuckles. "I think she's bluffing."

At that moment, Emily walks into the room holding Hallie, who's squirming in her arms. "Hey, guys. Sorry to interrupt, but your little one here needs a diaper change."

Hanna, completely absorbed in the game, doesn't look up. "Diaper bag's in her stroller." She mutters, eyes still locked on her cards.

Emily raises an amused eyebrow. "Oh, okay... so we've officially reached the 'gambling addicts' phase, huh?"

Spencer smirks, glancing at Caleb. "You really dragged Hanna into this?"

Caleb grins, shaking his head. "She dragged herself into this."

Emily laughs softly and looks at Hallie. "Alright, sweetheart, I guess I'm on diaper duty. Your parents are too busy with their poker match." She playfully shakes her head and heads out of the room.

Meanwhile, Caleb leans forward, his eyes scanning the table. "Okay, this is it. Show your hand, babe. Let's see what you've got."

Hanna, still unsure of the rules, places her cards on the table. "Um... is this good?"

Spencer's eyes widen as she stares at Hanna's hand. Jason lets out a loud laugh, leaning back in his chair, unable to believe it.

Spencer "Hanna… we just won!" She says, half in disbelief.

Caleb's jaw drops as he stares at her cards. "What? No way…"

Jason slaps the table, grinning. "Beginner's luck! She actually won!"

Hanna blinks in surprise, looking down at her cards. "Wait… really? I won?"

Caleb runs a hand through his hair, laughing in disbelief. "I can't believe this…"

Hanna flashes a triumphant grin, leaning toward Caleb. "I just beat your ass, babe!"

Caleb chuckles and shakes his head.

Just then, Alison steps into the dining room, smirking. "I thought you came here to 'rescue' your man, Han."

Hanna grins mischievously as she stands up, sliding her cards across the table. "Yeah, well… things happened." She walks around the table and places a tender kiss on Caleb's cheek. "Like I said, at least you're hot." She teases again. "Now, I'll go check on my baby. I'm kind of tired of winning here."

/

Hanna shows up in Liam's nursery just as Emily finishes up with Hallie's diaper.

Hanna walks over to the changing table, grinning. "Looks like Auntie Em's got everything under control."

Emily glances up and smiles. "This brings back so many memories... I swear, it feels like just yesterday the twins were this little, and now, in the blink of an eye, they're almost three and out of diapers. I know it's a cliché, but they grow up so fast, Han. Make sure you enjoy every moment."

Hanna grins, gently taking Hallie's little hand. "Are you saying that because you're worried I'll become a gambling addict and neglect my baby?" She jokes. "I've made my point, I won, so I'm stepping away. Cards are boring anyway. Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing back there... totally won by luck. I'm not risking a rematch."

Emily chuckles.

Hanna "But seriously, I get what you mean, Em. I cried the other day when her umbilical cord fell off... She's changing so much already."

Emily nods as she finishes adjusting Hallie's clothes. "Enjoy it while she's too young to ask you any awkward questions." She jokes, then kisses Hallie's forehead softly. "There you go, little angel."

Hanna smiles. "Thanks, Em. You're a lifesaver."

Emily grins. "No problem. I still owe you plenty of diaper changes and babysitting hours."

Hanna laughs, picking Hallie up from the changing table. "We'll keep that in mind, right Halls?" She lifts the baby to her face, giving her a series of playful kisses on the cheek. "Especially when I need some time alone with your loser, though still pretty hot, daddy."

Emily laughs. "You're never gonna let him live that down, are you?"

Hanna smirks. "Nah, I'll get bored eventually. Can't say the same for Spencer though."

Emily laughs again.

Just as they're about to leave the nursery, Toby walks in.

Toby glances at Hanna. "Hey, Han... Can I talk to you for a sec?"

Hanna looks a little confused but nods. "Yeah, sure."

Emily waves as she heads out. "Alright, see you downstairs. A beer's calling my name..."

Hanna settles into the rocking chair, gently placing Hallie's pacifier in her mouth as she holds her close. "So?" She asks, glancing at Toby.

Toby leans against the wall. "I talked to my dad about Claudia. They were only a couple of years apart and went to the same school, so I figured he might remember something."

Hanna nods, waiting for him to continue.

Toby "He didn't know if she was dating anyone, but he did remember her two closest friends, probably the same names you found in her journal."

Hanna sighs. "So, no new leads…"

Toby shrugs. "Not exactly. I had one of my buddies at the station run those names. One of them passed away the summer after graduation in an accident with her boyfriend… but turns out, the other one still lives here in Rosewood. I was thinking we could pay her a visit, see what she knows. If they were as close as you, Spencer, and the girls are, she might know who Caleb's dad is."

Hanna pauses, processing the idea.

Toby presses on. "We'll just talk to her, see what she says. If we find something, we tell Caleb. If not, we drop it."

Hanna shifts, glancing down at Hallie, who's starting to squirm in her arms. "I don't know, Toby… I'd feel bad doing this behind his back. He already asked me to drop it."

Toby shakes his head. "He didn't want it turning into a big investigation, sure. But this? It's just a conversation..."

Hallie starts fussing, spitting out her pacifier as her tiny face scrunches up.

Hanna stands, gently bouncing her in an attempt to soothe her. "Then talk to Caleb. I don't want to push, but he might listen to you. Just don't mention you've already had someone look into it. See if he's open to contacting her."

Toby nods slowly. "Yeah, you're right. I'll bring it up casually, see where his head's at."

Hanna gives him a small smile. "That's probably the best way, Tob. It's not up to us, and we don't want to go behind his back."

Toby sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I wasn't trying to keep anything from him. I just didn't want him running into another dead end."

Hanna reaches out, placing a hand on his arm. "I know. You're a loyal friend. But let's do this the right way, okay? Talk to him."

Toby nods, smiling a little. "You're right. I'll handle it. And hey, if he's not on board, maybe you can beat him at poker again and make him do it anyway."

Hanna laughs. "You know that was pure luck, right?"

Toby chuckles, shaking his head. "Oh, I could tell. Your poker face wasn't fooling anyone." He gives her a friendly squeeze on the shoulder. "Looks like this little one's missing her loser dad."

Hanna glances down at Hallie, who's starting to cry harder. "Actually, I think she's hungry. I'll stay up here and feed her."

Toby nods. "Got it. Need anything from downstairs?"

Hanna shakes her head while settling back in the rocking chair. "No, I'm good. Thanks, Tob."

He heads for the door, giving her one last nod before leaving.

Hanna cradles Hallie closer, whispering softly. "Just one sec, baby girl. I'm on it." She gently gets ready to nurse her. "There you go, sweet girl." She adds, smiling as Hallie starts feeding immediately.

Hanna leans back, watching the baby calm down, the peace of the quiet nursery settling around them. The soft hum of voices from downstairs, Spencer, Alison, the twins, faintly drifts up.

Hanna strokes Hallie's tiny head, grinning. "Soon enough, you'll be running around with your cousins, causing all kinds of chaos. But right now, I've got you all to myself."

A familiar voice interrupts her thoughts. "Hey! What about me?"

Hanna looks up, smiling as Caleb steps into the room. "All to ourselves." She corrects.

Caleb grins, stepping closer. "I was starting to miss you two." He presses a soft kiss to Hanna's forehead, then crouches to gently kiss Hallie's head.

Hanna smirks. "Really missing us, or just hiding from Spencer rubbing it in after your crushing, humiliating loss?"

Caleb rolls his eyes. "Actually, I was only missing Hallie." He feigns offense, straightening up. "Guess I'll head back downstairs."

Hanna laughs quietly. "Yeah, you're not going anywhere... now give me a kiss."

Caleb smiles, cupping her face gently in his hands before leaning in to kiss her, slow and sweet.

/

Later on.

Caleb "I gotta admit, it was pretty hot that you won…" He says, sliding his arm around Hanna's shoulders.

They're walking back home. Caleb's holding Hallie in one arm while Hanna pushes the stroller.

Hanna smiles. "I could've pulled off an even hotter win if I actually knew what I was doing…"

Caleb chuckles. "C'mon, let me teach you again… you'd make a great poker partner." He insists, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Hanna "What about Jason?"

Caleb purses his lips. "Jason only cares when there's money or stripping involved. He's not really in it for the thrill of winning…"

Hanna "Well, I'm not interested either. I've told you a hundred times, cards are boring. And there's no way I'm playing against Spencer… Seriously, how do you guys deal with her when she's in that psycho-competitive mode?"

They reach their front door. Hanna digs the keys out of Hallie's diaper bag and unlocks it.

Chocolate's waiting for them, and the second they step inside, he's bouncing around Caleb, trying to get a better look at Hallie.

Hanna chuckles, watching him. "He doesn't even care about us anymore… it's all Hallie now."

Caleb grins. "She's asleep, bud." He crouches a little, letting Chocolate sniff the baby.

After a moment, Chocolate backs off and Caleb straightens up, closing the door behind him.

Caleb "Hey, wait downstairs for a second." He tells Hanna, noticing her heading for the stairs.

Hanna stops, turning to look at him, puzzled. "Why?"

Caleb "I've got something for you. Let me put Hallie down first." He gestures toward the stroller, still cradling the baby.

Hanna's brows lift in curiosity. "A present?"

Caleb flashes her a playful smile. "Maybe…"

Hanna narrows her eyes but heads to the living room anyway. "If this is some cheesy way to tease me for a kiss or something, you'll—"

Caleb "It's not. I really got something for you." He assures her, covering Hallie with her baby blanket.

When he finishes with Hallie and turns to Hanna, she's staring at him expectantly, though still a bit skeptical.

Caleb shoots her a smile. "Really." He insists.

Hanna "For what? What's the occasion?"

Caleb "I'll be right back." He says, dodging her questions with a grin.

When he returns, Hanna is sitting on the couch, and he takes a seat beside her.

Caleb "Here. I hope you like it…" He says, handing her a small gift bag, a huge grin spreading across his face.

Hanna smiles, taking the bag. "Oh, you really got me something… seriously, what's this for?"

Caleb "Just open it, babe." He insists, resting his hand on her knee.

Hanna pulls out a velvet jewelry box. Her eyes widen as she lifts the lid, revealing a delicate gold bracelet with four charms, two 'H's and two 'C's. Her grin matches Caleb's as she looks up at him.

Caleb "So? Do you like it?"

Hanna "Are you for real?" She leaves the box on her lap and wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug. "I love it, baby! Thank you so much!"

Caleb's arms circle her waist, returning the embrace. "I wanted to give it to you at the hospital when Hallie was born, but…" He pulls back slightly to look at her. "It's a custom piece, and I ordered it online, so between making it and shipping, it got even more delayed than Hallie. Then, once we got home, with all the visitors and the chaos of adjusting to everything, I didn't get the chance. I was planning to surprise you with a special night at home, but since you wanted to go hang out with the guys, I figured I'd just give it to you now. I couldn't wait any longer…"

Caleb pulls away from the hug and gently takes the box from Hanna's lap. He carefully clasps the bracelet around her wrist, his fingers brushing her skin as he adjusts it just right. Hanna admires it, her face lighting up. But then she looks back at him, and her smile fades a little.

Hanna "Oh, babe… that's why you wanted to stay in tonight, and I totally ruined your plans. Why didn't you just say so?"

Caleb gives her hand a squeeze. "Because you said you needed to get out, and I know it's been a lot these past few days. We're thrilled about Hallie, but… it's been a lot to handle. Right now, whatever you need comes first."

Hanna laughs softly. "If you weren't so annoying sometimes, you'd be perfect." She wraps her arms back around his neck and pulls him closer again. "I love you so much." She kisses his neck tenderly.

Caleb chuckles. "Hope you're in the mood for sushi and zero-alcohol beer for breakfast." He says, rubbing her lower back.

Hanna pulls back to look at him, keeping her hands on his shoulders. "Wait… you had it all set up already?"

Caleb nods. "Why do you think it took me so long to 'get groceries' earlier?"

Hanna "Oh, babe… really, you should've told me you had something planned."

Caleb "It's fine, Han. We had a great night with the guys, and we both needed that. I thought about telling you when you didn't want to go next door because you couldn't find anything to wear, but… I could tell you weren't really in the mood for what I had planned anyway."

Hanna shakes her head. "I'm sorry about that too… I—"

Caleb "Hey! You don't need to explain. I get it. You just had our baby, you're emotional, and… I don't always know what to say. Just like when you were pregnant. You're beautiful, and I'm sure everything you tried on looked amazing, but I feel like, when you're in that mood, nothing I say can help."

Hanna sighs and takes his hands. "You're right, babe. I'm emotional all the time. Believe me, I'm tired of it too. But… I can't help how I feel. And yeah, I know I always look beautiful to you, but I'm not looking for anyone's approval, just my own. I just need to feel confident and good about myself again. Anyway, I'm starting with Spencer's trainer on Monday." She smiles at him. "And I know what I'm going through is normal… I try to remember that. It'll pass. Besides, when I look at our little girl…" She gazes at Hallie. "It's all worth it."

Caleb smiles, his eyes following hers toward Hallie. "That's what the bracelet's for, babe." He kisses her temple softly. "Just a little way of saying thanks for everything you've been through and are still going through, so we could have our family."

Hanna turns back to him and cups his face. "I love that it has all our initials… it's perfect."

Caleb "Well, at first I thought one 'H' would be enough, but then I realized it wasn't clear if it was for you or Hallie. So I figured, why not get two 'H's… and then I thought, might as well get two 'C's too. That way, it's all four of us."

Hanna laughs. "I love you."

Caleb "I love you, babe."

Hanna closes the gap between them, her lips meeting his in a passionate kiss. Caleb responds immediately, his hand slipping to the small of her back as the kiss deepens. Their movements become more urgent, and without breaking contact, Caleb pulls Hanna into his lap. She settles there, straddling him, their bodies pressed close as the kiss turns into full-on making out. His fingers thread through her hair, while her hands grip his shoulders, keeping him close as if she can't get enough.

After a few more heated moments, Hanna pulls back slightly, her breathing shallow, a wide smile spreading across her face. Her eyes sparkle with playful mischief as she glances toward the kitchen.

Hanna "So… how about we just eat that sushi you got right now?" She suggests, still catching her breath. "I know we had dinner already, but I'm suddenly hungry again."

Caleb grins, his hands resting comfortably on her hips as he leans in, his lips brushing hers again. "Sushi can wait… I'm not quite done here yet."

Hanna lets out a soft laugh, her fingers playing with his hair. "Don't get any ideas, baby." She warns, still smiling but with a knowing look in her eyes. "We're not starting anything yet, and you know it."

Caleb keeps his playful smile. "Who said anything about that?" He murmurs, trailing a kiss down her neck. "I just want to keep kissing you… nothing more." He pauses, giving her a teasing look. "Unless the sushi really can't wait."

Hanna grins. "I've been craving that sushi for months, so… Guess it can wait a little longer."

She cups his face and pulls him in for another deep kiss. But just as their lips meet, Hallie starts stirring in her stroller, her soft whimpers cutting through their moment. Hanna pulls back, glancing toward the baby.

Caleb straightens up with a small chuckle. "Guess it's time to start paying off that poker loss."

Hanna grins, her eyes flicking to Hallie. "Wait… check this out."

She shifts her attention to their daughter, her voice softening as she starts humming a gentle melody. Hallie's fussing calms almost immediately, the sound of her mother's voice soothing her. Hanna smiles as she continues humming, her hand resting lightly on Caleb's chest, showing him she doesn't even need to get up to settle their little one.

Caleb watches in quiet admiration, his arms still loosely around Hanna's waist as Hallie's whimpers fade into silence.

Caleb "You've got the magic touch…" He murmurs.

Hanna chuckles softly. "It's not magic… she just knows our voices. It doesn't work when she's crying her lungs out, but it's perfect when she just needs to settle back to sleep. I figured it out yesterday when you were out walking Chocolate. I was busy with the dishes, so I tried this, and it just worked…"

Caleb grins. "I'm impressed… Do you think Hallie would respond to my voice like that too?"

Hanna smiles tenderly before kissing his cheek. "Of course she will, silly. Now, come on, I can't stop thinking about that sushi ever since you mentioned it." She stands up from his lap, giving him a playful nudge.

Caleb chuckles and gets up as well.