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.

80. Chapter 80

A couple of weeks later.

Hanna and Caleb are sitting in Caleb's new car, the one he got after his beloved old ride was crushed by a tree during that big storm a couple of months ago. They're parked on a quiet street in a very nice neighborhood on the outskirts of Rosewood.

Hanna "Ready?" She asks, reaching for his hand.

Caleb "Not really." He smiles nervously, squeezing her hand back.

Hanna gives him a soft smile, her thumb tracing gentle circles on his palm.

Hanna "You've got this, baby." She reassures him, tenderly caressing his hand. "Besides, we've got backup." She glances over her shoulder at the backseat, where Hallie is in her baby seat, facing backward as recommended for newborns. "Come on, this woman's waiting for us. Everything will be just fine. Toby said she sounded excited to meet you on the phone."

Caleb nods, his nerves settling just a little. "Let's go." He says, exhaling deeply as he opens the car door.

Hanna follows suit, stepping out and carefully unbuckling Hallie from her seat. With the baby in her arms, they walk together toward the front door of a charming house.

Just as they reach the steps, a woman in her fifties opens the door, her face lighting up with a warm smile.

Laura "Hi! You must be Caleb!" She says, clearly excited to meet him.

Caleb gives her a polite nod, still a bit thrown off by the situation.

Laura "And look at this little one! What a precious baby girl! Is she yours?" She asks, her eyes sparkling as she focuses on Hallie.

Hanna "Yes, this is our daughter, Hallie… and I'm Hanna, Caleb's wife." She says, stepping in when Caleb remains quiet, still gathering himself.

Laura "A lucky guy, surrounded by such beautiful girls." She smiles again at Caleb, before stepping aside. "Please, come in. I made some tea."

Hanna and Caleb follow Laura into the cozy living room, which is clearly prepared for their visit. A plate of cookies sits on the coffee table, ready to go with the tea.

Laura "Make yourselves comfortable. I'll be right back with the tea… unless you'd prefer something else?" She asks, her voice cheerful.

Hanna "Tea sounds great, thank you." She says, returning the woman's smile as they sit down on the couch.

As soon as Laura disappears into the kitchen, Hanna leans toward Caleb, placing her hand gently on his arm.

Hanna "You okay?"

Caleb "Yeah…" He nods, though there's still tension in his voice.

Hanna "She seems really nice." She says softly, giving his arm a comforting squeeze.

Caleb finally looks away from the doorway and down at Hallie, who is gazing at him with her wide, deep blue eyes, exactly the same shade as her mother's. His lips twitch into a smile for the first time in the last hour.

Caleb "Hey there, little one!" He coos, taking Hallie's tiny fingers. "Why are you staring at me like that?" He asks her in a playful voice, lightly brushing his thumb against her pinky.

Hanna "She probably just realized what a handsome dad she's got." She grins, watching Caleb interact with Hallie.

Just then, Laura returns with a tray of tea, catching the tail end of their conversation.

Laura "And he is indeed. The perfect mix of his mother and father." She says casually, as though it's the most normal thing in the world.

Both Hanna and Caleb freeze, turning to her in unison. Caleb's smile drops, his expression instantly guarded, while Hanna's face shifts to one of quiet hope.

Hanna "Oh! So you know who Caleb's father is?" She asks, the question bursting out of her.

Laura "Of course." She says, setting the tray down and speaking as though she were recounting a fond memory. "As you know, Claudia and I were best friends in high school. Naturally, I knew Caleb's father. He was her first love…" She pauses, arranging the tea cups. "I'm sure you've got high school best friends too, Hanna. We girls share everything with our besties. Claudia told me everything back then, just like I shared my own secrets with her." She chuckles softly, her tone light and nostalgic. "Help yourselves." She adds, gesturing toward the tea.

Hanna and Caleb exchange a look. Caleb's eyes still wide with surprise, Hanna's filled with cautious optimism.

Laura takes a seat across from them, her eyes softening as she stirs her tea absentmindedly. "You know, Claudia and I… we shared everything back then. And that's how I knew Jamie Doyle."

Caleb, who's been absently rubbing his thumb against the edge of the coffee table, freezes. His brow furrows. "Jamie… Doyle?"

Laura nods, her tone gentle. "He was your father."

Hanna's eyes widen. She glances at Caleb, but his face is unreadable, still processing the words. Slowly, she reaches over, resting her hand on his arm, her touch light but grounding. "How did they meet?" She asks quietly, giving Caleb's arm a comforting squeeze.

Laura offers a small, nostalgic smile. "It was at a party, during our senior year. Jamie was a couple of years older, and his life was… complicated. A bit of a mess, really. But Claudia… oh, she was head over heels for him. He wasn't on the same page, though."

Caleb shifts slightly, his fingers flexing against the table, his cup of tea remains untouched. "So, what happened?" His voice is quiet, almost like he's bracing himself.

Laura "Well, Henry, your grandfather, he hated Jamie. Thought he was bad news. And, to be fair, Jamie wasn't exactly what Henry had in mind for his daughter. But Claudia didn't care. She stuck with Jamie, even when it meant choosing Rosewood University just to stay close to him. That caused a huge fight with Henry. She had great grades, got into better schools, but she threw that away for Jamie. Claudia and Henry didn't talk for weeks."

Hanna listens, her hand still resting gently on Caleb's arm, her touch a quiet reassurance. "And then… she got pregnant?"

Laura nods. "Yes. Just after graduation. But she didn't tell anyone. Not Jamie, not me or Sarah, our other best friend. No one."

Caleb frowns slightly, his voice quieter now. "Why not?"

Laura "She was scared." She explains softly. "By the time she found out, Jamie had started pulling away. A couple of weeks later, he broke up with her. She didn't tell him about the baby—well, about you, Caleb. Claudia was heartbroken but held onto this hope they'd get back together and raise you. She told us later that she thought maybe Henry had something to do with the breakup, that Jamie was pushing her away so she could have a better future."

Hanna glances at Caleb, her hand giving his arm a comforting rub. "But that wasn't the real reason, was it?"

Laura's expression darkens. "No… not at all. A few days after the breakup, everything changed. There was an accident. Jamie overturned his motorcycle on Rosewood Highway. And… Sarah was with him."

Hanna's breath catches. "Sarah? Your other best friend?"

Laura nods sadly. "Turns out, Jamie and Sarah had just started seeing each other in secret. He didn't leave Claudia to protect her future... It was because he had feelings for Sarah. Jamie died instantly. Sarah held on for a few days in the hospital, but she didn't make it either."

The room falls into silence. Caleb's jaw clenches, his gaze dropping to the floor. Hanna's hand slides up to his shoulder, her grip firmer now, offering quiet support.

Laura takes a deep breath before continuing. "It wasn't long after the accident that Claudia finally told her mom, Betty, your grandma, that she was pregnant. But by then, everything was too much. Losing Jamie, finding out about him and Sarah… it broke her."

Hanna bites her lip, watching Caleb closely as he processes the story. He still doesn't speak, but his body language says enough: tense, silent, lost in thought.

Laura "Your mom…" She continues, her voice softer now. "She felt she couldn't give you the life you deserved. You would've been a constant reminder of everything she lost, and she didn't think she could give you the love and care you needed while dealing with her own grief. So, with Betty's help, she made the decision to put you up for adoption. She wanted you to have a better life than she felt she could give you at the time."

Hanna's eyes glisten with tears. "That must've been so hard for her."

Caleb finally looks up, his voice tight. "And she didn't tell anyone?"

Laura shakes her head. "Only her mom knew. Everyone else thought she'd gone off to college. Claudia moved to New York to hide the pregnancy. Betty visited her every few weeks, but Claudia stayed away from Rosewood for months. A few weeks before you were born, she arranged for the adoption. That's when Susan came into the picture. Claudia chose her because she felt Susan was everything she wasn't at the time: strong, kind, capable. But before she let you go, she did one last thing… she gave you your name, Caleb."

Tears slip down Hanna's cheeks as she rests her head lightly against Caleb's shoulder.

Caleb's voice is barely a whisper. "What happened after I was born?"

Laura pauses for a moment, her voice quieter now. "When she came back to Rosewood, she told me everything. I guess she needed someone to talk to. She had second thoughts later on and asked me to help her contact Susan. When you were six months old, we visited. Claudia saw you, and that's when she knew she'd made the right decision. Susan was… amazing. The perfect mom for you. Claudia held you one last time, even took a photo with you. And after that, she let go. That was the last time we ever talked about it. After that visit, she started therapy, tried to heal, and moved forward. She never fully recovered from everything, but she found a way to live again. She went to college, got married a few years after finishing her degree. She never had other kids, though. I think it was just too painful for her. But she found love again, and I'm glad for that."

The room falls into another heavy silence. Caleb stares off into the distance, his mind somewhere far away. Hanna leans into him more, her arm securely wrapped around his shoulder.

After a moment, Caleb's throat tightens, and he looks back at Laura.

Caleb "So, she came back to see me, huh?"

Laura nods. "She also told Susan it was okay if you ever wanted to contact her when you got older, you know? If you needed any answers, or anything. She gave Susan her old email address. Didn't Susan ever tell you about Claudia?"

Caleb shakes his head, his eyes glassy. Hanna notices and softly explains.

Hanna "Susan passed away when Caleb was only four. She never got the chance. It was Henry who found Caleb again, a couple of years before he died too."

Laura's face falls. "Oh... I'm so sorry. I didn't know." She stands, walking to the side table to grab a box of tissues. "Here, sweetie." She hands it to Hanna before sitting down again.

Hanna "Thanks." She lets go of Caleb to take a tissue and dab at her eyes.

Laura looks at Caleb, her tone gentle. "So... what happened after Susan was gone? Did you go live with some of her family?"

Caleb exhales sharply. "Not exactly..." He trails off, glancing away. "But anyway, I didn't come here to talk about me, and you've already answered our questions, so…" He stands up abruptly. "Thanks for your time, Laura." He takes Hallie from Hanna's arms, his voice clipped. "Nice meeting you. Goodbye."

Without another word, Caleb heads toward the door, leaving Hanna still sitting on the couch, wide-eyed and teary, watching him walk out. Laura glances at Hanna, equally puzzled.

Hanna "I'm so sorry." She murmurs, wiping her tears. "This is... really hard for him."

Laura sighs softly. "Yeah, don't worry, dear. It's a lot to take in, all of this... sounds like something out of a movie."

Hanna nods slowly. "Yeah... I'd better go check on him." She stands up.

Laura stands as well. "Of course, Hanna. I'm sorry if you were hoping for something different, but... it's the truth."

Hanna gives a small, appreciative nod. "And that's exactly what we needed, the truth. Thank you again, Laura, for meeting with us. We never would've known the real story if it wasn't for you."

Laura smiles sadly. "You're welcome. It's the least I could do for Caleb... and for Claudia. I miss her so much. I still can't believe she's gone. But I'm glad Caleb has such a beautiful family. He's grown into a great man, and that's all Claudia ever wanted for him."

Hanna smiles softly. "Yeah... he's amazing. A great husband, an even better dad. Smart as hell, too. He plays tough, but he's sensitive... thoughtful."

Laura returns the smile. "And lucky to have you."

Hanna "Thanks." She says quietly.

As they walk to the door, Hanna asks another question.

Hanna "That picture Claudia took with Caleb... do you have any idea where it could be?"

Laura sighs. "I'm sorry, sweetie. I don't."

Hanna nods as they reach the door. Laura opens it, and Hanna steps out.

Hanna "It was really nice meeting you, Laura. Thanks again for everything."

Laura nods warmly. "Likewise, Hanna. And if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to reach out."

Hanna "Goodbye."

Laura "Goodbye. Maybe we'll see each other around Rosewood."

Hanna shoots her one last smile as she walks away.

When she reaches Caleb's car, she sees him sitting in the driver's seat, holding Hallie tightly against his chest like she's a little teddy bear. His arms are wrapped protectively around her tiny body, and tears quietly stream down his cheeks. Seeing him like this, so vulnerable, tugs at Hanna's heart. She's not used to seeing Caleb this broken.

She walks over to the driver's side and gently opens the door. Without saying a word, she leans in, running her fingers through his hair in a soothing, tender stroke. "Switch to the passenger seat, baby. I'll drive."

Caleb gets out silently, still holding Hallie close like he can't let go. Once he's settled in the passenger seat, he buckles them both in, his grip on her not loosening even a little.

The ride home is quiet. The only sound is Hallie's soft sucking on her pacifier, like even she senses the heavy mood. Normally, they'd have her safely strapped in her baby seat in the back, but today feels different, an exception. Watching Caleb hold Hallie like that, looking for comfort in her tiny presence, is both the sweetest and most heart-wrenching thing Hanna has ever seen.

/

Once they get back home, Hanna decides to give Caleb some space. When he heads to the couch, still holding Hallie against his chest, she busies herself around the house, doing laundry, emptying the dishwasher, tidying up. But after an hour passes, Caleb is still there, resting back, motionless with the now-asleep baby resting on his chest, staring off into space.

Hanna approaches with a laundry basket full of baby clothes and places it on the coffee table. She sits next to him and starts folding clothes in silence.

Halfway through folding a tiny pale-pink onesie, Caleb finally speaks, as she knew he would.

Caleb "I only did this for Hallie, you know?" He says softly.

Hanna pauses, placing the onesie on top of a neat pile, then turns to him.

Caleb "I only agreed to meet with this lady for her." He continues, still staring at the ceiling. "I thought maybe… maybe my father was out there, not knowing about me, unaware of everything. And maybe he was a good man who could've been a decent grandpa for her… How stupid. Things like that don't happen to me."

Hanna "Hey! What do you mean 'things like that don't happen to you'? You're holding one of those 'things' in your arms right now." She says gently, nodding toward Hallie.

Caleb manages a small smile and kisses the top of Hallie's head. "She didn't just happen… we wanted her so much. And I'm so glad she's here."

Hanna smiles, his words warming her heart. "How are you feeling?" She asks softly, placing her hand over his, which is resting against Hallie's little butt, supporting her. Then she intertwines their fingers.

Caleb finally looks at her. "I'm okay… It's just… a lot to process. You were right, I guess… no more mystery. It feels lighter, like a relief. At least I know the truth now, but it's still a shock. I get why Claudia couldn't keep me now. I'm not saying I agree, just… I understand it now. But I also just found out my father was a total jerk. Claudia was just a girl, and he broke her to the point she couldn't keep me."

Hanna nods, letting the silence linger for a moment before speaking again. "Maybe Jamie wasn't a jerk... They were all so young, barely out of high school. Sure, he and Sarah could've handled things better, but… he never knew Claudia was pregnant. And maybe he really loved Sarah…"

Caleb "Well, my grandpa didn't like him either, so… he must've been a jerk." He mutters.

Hanna "Your grandpa was just looking out for his daughter. Like you will when Hallie starts dating... Well, you already do." She adds, chuckling softly.

Caleb shrugs. "Well, who cares? They're all dead anyway."

There's another brief pause, and Hanna resumes the conversation.

Hanna "Okay, just… don't replace the anger you had for Claudia with a new anger for Jamie. It only hurts you."

Caleb doesn't respond. Instead, he lifts Hallie's tiny hand to his mouth and presses a couple of noisy kisses to her palm. Hanna watches him for a moment but, sensing he's not in the mood for more talking, she turns back to folding Hallie's clothes.

When she finishes, Hanna looks over at Caleb again. He's still deep in thought. She offers him a small smile before leaning in to kiss him softly. As she pulls away, a familiar smell catches her attention.

Hanna "She needs a change, babe." She says, leaning in to sniff Hallie's diaper to confirm.

Caleb "Yeah, I smell it too… I'm just too comfy with her right now." He rests his cheek against Hallie's head.

Hanna smiles. "Mind if I steal her for a few minutes?" She asks, already placing her hands on Hallie's little body. "I promise I'll bring her right back."

Caleb sighs, standing up. "I'll take care of it." He heads toward the stairs, Hallie still tucked in his arms.

Chocolate gets up from the floor and follows them.

Hanna watches them go with a light smile, then purses her lips. Caleb clinging to Hallie like that is sweet, but there's a bittersweetness to it too.

/

Later on.

Hanna is in the kitchen, looking into the fridge, when Caleb shows up with Hallie, and, of course, Chocolate following close behind.

It's the sound of Hallie's cry that lets Hanna know they're there.

Hanna "Hey! Someone sounds hungry." She turns to them with a smile, pushing the fridge door shut.

Caleb "Yep." He comes closer, holding Hallie out to her.

Hanna "Looks like it's mommy time…" She gently takes the baby from Caleb's arms. "I was just about to start dinner, but I guess that'll have to wait…" She heads for the living area.

Caleb "I won't be here for dinner." He says, following her over. "I'm meeting Jason for a beer… I'll just grab something to eat at the bar."

Hanna gives him a curious look as she grabs one of Hallie's little towels from the coffee table to keep handy while feeding. It's Sunday evening, and he's going back to work the next day after taking some time off for Hallie's arrival. So it doesn't seem like the best time for a night out.

Hanna "Oh, okay." She gives him a quick smile as she settles on the couch, getting comfortable to feed Hallie.

But it still makes sense to her. After the overwhelming day Caleb's had, a beer with a friend sounds perfect. It's just a little surprising he's meeting Jason instead of Toby, but then again, maybe Caleb isn't in the mood to field all the questions Toby would probably ask him next time they see each other. Jason makes sense, too, and Hanna's happy Caleb's grown so close to him. That rebel, cocky son of a bitch can get on her nerves with his stupid jokes and comments sometimes, but she has to admit that Jason's the one who, now and then, shakes up their friend group's routine and pulls them out of the "responsible adult" life they've all settled into. And tonight, that's exactly what Caleb needs, something to take his mind off everything.

Caleb "But I can make you something to eat before I go. What sounds good?" His question brings Hanna back from her thoughts.

Hanna "Nah, I'm fine. I'm not super hungry… I'll just grab something quick later. Could you grab me the nursing pillow? I think I left it on our bed."

Caleb "Sure." He nods, already heading up the stairs.

Chocolate hops onto the couch, curling up next to Hanna.

Hanna "Hey, buddy… Can you believe there's someone even more of a little glutton than you in this house?" She grins with her gaze on Hallie, then turns to Chocolate, reaching over to scratch his ears.

Chocolate tilts his head, as if trying to figure out what she's saying, which makes Hanna chuckle.

Satisfied, he rests his head on a couch pillow, ready for a nap as Hanna starts feeding Hallie.

A couple of minutes later, Caleb returns with the pillow.

Caleb "Here." He leans over to help Hanna settle the baby on it, his touch gentle so as not to disturb Hallie.

Hanna "Thanks, babe." She says softly, wiping a bit of milk from Hallie's cheek with the towel as Hallie keeps nursing eagerly.

Caleb straightens up. "Anything else you need before I go?"

Hanna shakes her head. "Nope, we're good." She looks up at him, her face warm with a smile. "Go have fun."

Caleb nods, but he lingers, watching them quietly.

Hanna notices his expression, a bit distant, as if he's still caught up in his thoughts.

Caleb "Okay, I'll get going." He grabs his jacket from the armchair nearby. "Text me if you need anything. I won't be out late."

Hanna "Uh huh… bye, babe."

Caleb manages a small smile. "Bye, Han."

He turns, and after grabbing his phone and keys, he heads out through the front door.

/

It's around 2 a.m., and Hanna is sound asleep in bed. Hallie rests peacefully in her bassinet nearby, and Chocolate has abandoned his bed in the hallway to sleep curled up on the floor beside the baby.

Suddenly, Chocolate stirs, lifting his head and tilting it as he catches a sound. At the faint click of the front door, he's up, rushing downstairs.

Caleb "Hey, bud-dy… it's me." He mumbles, facing the door while trying to fit his key into the lock. After a few failed attempts, it slips from his fingers and clatters to the floor. "Fuuuck." He mutters, bending down to pick it up. It takes him a few more tries, but he finally locks the door and turns to find Chocolate staring at him with a wagging tail. "We need to be suuu-per quiet… bud."

He stumbles his way to the stairs, somehow making it up, and shuffles into the bedroom, still trying to be as quiet as possible. Crossing the room, he heads toward Hallie's bassinet to give her a goodnight kiss, even though she's been asleep for hours. But, of course, one of Hanna's shoes gets in his way, and he nearly trips, catching himself with a hasty grip on the end of the bed. His phone slips from his pocket, thudding to the floor and jolting Hanna awake. She sits up abruptly, eyes wide.

Caleb "Hey… it's me…" He whispers.

Hanna "Fuck, Caleb! You nearly gave me a heart attack. What the actual hell? What time is it?"

Caleb "Late?" He steadies himself, then takes the last couple of steps to Hallie's bassinet and, being extra cautious, leans down to press a kiss to her head.

Hanna "Where were you? I texted you. I was worried, it was midnight, and you still weren't back." She lies back down, watching him as he battles out of his shoes and pants, leaving them crumpled on the floor.

Caleb "I'm here now." He says simply, then stumbles around to his side of the bed and slips under the covers, skipping the bathroom and leaving his shirt on. Sliding his arm around Hanna's waist, he snuggles close, resting his cheek on her shoulder, his cold skin pressing against her warmth. "Night… babe." He murmurs, closing his eyes.

Hanna "You're drunk…" She says, catching the scent of beer on his breath and feeling the chill of his body against hers.

Caleb "Nope… I'm not… just a bit tipsy."

Hanna sighs, placing her hand on his face and gently rubbing his cheek to warm him up. "I think you're past 'a bit'… did you drive?"

Caleb "Jason gave me a ride."

Hanna "Hope he wasn't as drunk as you…" She murmurs, running her hand through his hair.

Caleb "S-sorry to wake you…" He says, lifting his head to look at her in the dark, his voice softening. "But… since you're… awake…" He leans in, closing the distance to her mouth and pressing a kiss to her lips.

At first, Hanna's hand comes up, lightly pressing against his chest, a small, worried smile lingering as she pulls back slightly. She can't help herself, though, his half-lidded, pleading gaze in the darkness, his familiar scent with the faintest hint of beer, the lazy way his fingers trace her hip. She lets her hand slide to his shoulder, giving in, and meets his kiss fully. Their lips move slowly at first, but as his hand rests at the back of her neck, she finds herself sinking into it, feeling the tension in his body melt as she pulls him closer. It isn't long before they're wrapped up in each other, lost in the moment.

Caleb's lips leave hers, trailing open-mouthed kisses along her cheek, working his way up to her ear. "Think I'll have to wait… much longer?" He murmurs, pulling back a little to rest his head on her pillow.

Hanna "You think you… might be able to wait a little longer?" Her voice is soft, hesitant.

Caleb "Mmm-hm…" He reaches up, cupping her jaw with his hand, his thumb rubbing gentle circles on her cheek. "Just… miss you… closer..."

Hanna "Just a couple more weeks? I just need to—"

Caleb "Shh… it's okay." He cuts her off gently. "Take all the time you need."

Hanna looks at him, her heart tugged by how soft his voice sounds, how patient he is, even though she can see that flicker of longing in his eyes. She can't help herself, she closes the small space between them, pressing her lips to his again, slower this time, lingering. Her hand moves down, slipping under the covers to rest against his chest, then trails down lower, reaching out to touch him, wanting to do something for him, to show him she understands.

Her hand is cupping him when she feels Caleb sigh and swallow hard against her mouth. Then his hand finds hers, stopping her movement with a soft squeeze. He breaks the kiss, leaning back just enough to catch her eyes.

Caleb "It's not about, y'know, just… getting off, Han… though, uh… these days, guess it kinda is… mostly. Just feel… so much hornier than ever…I've just been… yeah, taking care of that on my own…" He chuckles, low and tipsy, his honesty spilling out. "But right now, I just… want more closeness…" His arms wrap around her back, pulling her close. "So… yeah, a really… tight hug… that's better than… hands stuff right now."

Hanna's arms circle his neck immediately, pulling him closer, pressing her lips to his forehead as she hugs him as tightly as she can.

Hanna "I'm so sorry things didn't turn out the way you wanted today, baby." She whispers against his skin, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "If anyone deserves to be happy in this world, it's you. I'd give my life to make that happen."

Caleb "Well, I'll need ya to keep your life for that." He mumbles, pressing his face to her shoulder. "'Cause I am happy, Han… pretty much all 'cause of you."

Hanna sighs, brushing her hand along his cheek, tucking him in close against her neck. "Today, I wasn't enough… look at you, all drunk on a Sunday night…"

Caleb "It was just… a rough day, babe. That's all…"

They fall silent, Hanna gently running her fingers through his hair and across his face, her touch soothing. Caleb closes his eyes, sinking into her warmth, feeling safe and comforted in her embrace.

Hanna "Can I ask you something?" She whispers softly after a while.

But there's no response. Caleb's already fast asleep.

Hanna keeps holding him, lost in her thoughts, and only lets go when Hallie starts fussing softly from her bassinet, ready for her next feeding.

/

Next Morning.

Hanna is already awake with Hallie when Caleb's alarm goes off. She's just about to reach for his phone to turn it off and let him sleep when, frowning with his eyes still closed, Caleb sleepily reaches over and taps it off himself.

Once the annoying sound stops, he groans, stretching his arms out before finally opening his eyes and sitting up.

Hanna "Hey, it's okay… why don't you get a bit more sleep?" She says softly.

Caleb looks over at her, seeing her half-sitting in bed next to him, propped up on pillows while gently burping Hallie against her chest. "I'm sorry, Han… I totally bailed on you with this little one last night." He reaches out, lightly stroking Hallie's tiny foot. "I'll make it up to you tonight."

Hanna "It's okay, don't worry. It's not like you can breastfeed her anyway." She smiles at him. "How're you feeling?"

Caleb "My head is killing me." He admits, already sliding out of bed.

Hanna "Maybe you could take a couple more days off work, babe? Just stay home…"

Caleb "Can't, Han. I've got a pile of stuff waiting for me at the office, and I really need to catch up today because tomorrow's meetings and calls, all day long…" He explains while pulling off his shirt. "Besides, I'm not about to just skip work because of a hangover… I'm someone's dad now. Just need a good shower and the blackest coffee. I'll be fine." He leans over, pressing a kiss to Hallie's head before heading toward the bathroom.

Hanna "Well, maybe getting back into work will make daddy feel better, huh, Hallie?" She props her legs up and rests Hallie's back against them so she can look into her little face. "Maybe we can swing by daddy's office at lunchtime and surprise him. What do you think?" She says in a light, playful tone, grinning at her daughter.

Hallie's wide eyes lock onto Hanna's face, as if she's absorbing every word.

Hanna "And give him a whole bunch of kisses so he doesn't miss us too much on his first day back…" She smiles down at Hallie. "And we need to make him feel better. You stayed by his side yesterday, but… I gave him space. Maybe that wasn't what he needed… maybe I should've stayed close, like you did." Her voice softens, a small shadow of sadness passing over her expression. She pulls Hallie close, hugging her against her chest the same way Caleb did the day before, like she's a little teddy bear. "We've got a mission today, baby girl. We're gonna make daddy happy again." She whispers, pressing a gentle kiss to Hallie's head.

/

Later on.

Caleb's in Hallie's room, finishing up a diaper change when Hanna appears in the doorway, her wet hair loose from a fresh shower.

Hanna "Here I am!" She announces with a smile, stepping over.

Caleb looks up at her with a slight smile. "Well, that was quick." He teases, knowing how Hanna usually takes her time in the shower.

Hanna "Yeah, didn't want to make you late for work." She moves closer and gently picks Hallie up from the changing table.

Caleb "I'm the boss, remember? Pretty sure I can swing being a few minutes late…" He says it lightly but doesn't quite meet her eyes.

Hanna hands him an aspirin. "Here, for that headache."

Caleb "Thanks, babe… and seriously, I'm sorry about last night. I—"

Hanna "You don't need to apologize." She touches his arm gently, her gaze understanding. "I get it. Just… remember I'm here if you want to talk, okay?"

Caleb "I know. I'm good, really. Yesterday was… just a lot. But I'm alright." He says it reassuringly, though a flicker of something uncertain crosses his face. He clears his throat. "Listen, I'll need to take your car…" He says, scratching the back of his neck. "I, uh… kinda left mine at the bar last night."

Hanna "Sure, no problem. Just make sure you're back right after work so I can hit the gym with Spence. Or if you're running late, just give me a heads-up so I can ask my mom to stay with Hallie."

Caleb nods. "I'll be back in time to take over." He reaches out, brushing his hand over Hallie's tiny fingers, his movements tender even as his eyes seem miles away.

Just then, Hanna's phone starts ringing in their bedroom. She leans over, pressing a quick kiss to Caleb's cheek. "See you later, baby. Have a good day at work." She brushes her lips lightly over his. "And don't overdo it. Take it easy." Already halfway out the door, she calls over her shoulder. "We love you!"

Caleb watches her walk out with Hallie. Standing alone in the quiet nursery, he looks around, realizing that this is his first day away from home since Hallie was born. His eyes fall on the big white teddy bear with a pink bow that Hanna's father sent over. A grand gesture for a granddaughter he still hasn't come to meet. With a sudden impulse, Caleb crosses the room, picks up the bear, and grips it firmly. After a moment, he heads out of the nursery, the oversized teddy under one arm, a faint tension in his steps as he makes his way downstairs.

/

Caleb parks Hanna's car at the entrance of an imposing office building. After getting out, he strides around to the backseat, swings open the door, and grabs the giant teddy bear. He slams the door shut, tucks the bear under one arm, and heads toward the building, his jaw tight, gaze fixed straight ahead.

Inside the lobby, he approaches the reception desk, where the receptionist greets him with a polite, practiced smile.

Receptionist "Good morning. How can I help you?"

Caleb "I'm here to see Mr. Marin. Which office is his?"

Her eyes shift to the oversized teddy bear, and she nods in understanding.

Receptionist "Oh, for Mr. Marin? You can leave the delivery here, and his assistant will make sure he gets it."

Caleb's jaw tightens. "I'm not a delivery guy. I'm his… son-in-law." He says, reluctantly.

Her smile fades, and she blinks, recalibrating. "Oh! My apologies. Take the elevator to the fifth floor. His office is at the end of the hall."

Without another word, Caleb heads for the elevator, still gripping the bear tightly.

When he reaches Tom Marin's office, Caleb pushes the door open and steps inside without knocking. Tom is mid-phone call, his eyes widening slightly as he notices Caleb standing there, holding the bear with an expression that leaves no room for small talk.

Seeing Caleb's tense look, Tom excuses himself from the call, hangs up, and gives Caleb his full attention.

Tom "Caleb. This is a surprise!"

Caleb "Oh, don't worry, Mr. Marin. I know you're busy. I'm just here to return this." He deposits the giant bear into the chair across from Tom's desk. "We won't be needing it."

Tom stares, astonished, his confusion obvious.

Caleb "Please, go back to your call. Goodbye, Mr. Marin."

Tom reacts, rising from his chair. "Wait, Caleb… what's this about? I sent that teddy over for Hallie. I don't understand."

Caleb "Yeah, well, she doesn't need a stupid stuffed animal from a complete stranger."

Tom frowns, his gaze fixed on Caleb, waiting for an explanation.

Caleb "It's been over a month since she was born, and you haven't bothered to meet her. You just sent her that ridiculously huge bear instead. You've hurt Hanna for years with your indifference, your absence. But it's not just about Hanna anymore. Now my daughter is in the line too. You're not going to cover up your lack of affection with gifts. Hallie needs a grandfather, not some stranger sending her presents. So here's the deal: either you show up and give her that teddy bear yourself, or you don't show up at all. I don't want you in and out of her life the way you've always been with Hanna."

Without waiting for a response, Caleb turns and leaves the office, leaving Tom speechless.

/

Later that day, around noon.

Hanna "We're almost done, baby… just the socks." She murmurs to Hallie, who's whimpering on her changing table, clearly not thrilled about being dressed. "It's cold outside, and we don't want those adorable chubby feet getting chilly, do we?" She carefully slips the little socks on, smiling to herself as she picks the baby up. Holding Hallie close, she admires how cute she looks in her tiny white sweater and vintage floral pants, which go perfectly with the pale-pink socks. "Daddy's gonna be so happy to see you, sweet girl." She brings Hallie close, planting a series of noisy kisses on her cheeks, then leans her face into the crook of her baby's neck, taking in that scent she loves so much. Hallie coos softly, one tiny fist grabbing a strand of Hanna's hair.

The doorbell rings, interrupting them.

Hanna pulls back, looking at her daughter with a grin. "That's strange… are you expecting visitors, Hallie?" She jokes, gently working to free her hair from Hallie's surprisingly strong grip. "Why are you babies so strong with these tiny hands, huh?" She laughs, still trying. "Come on, Halls, I spent like half an hour doing my hair to look good for your daddy…" Finally, she pries her hair free and chuckles, noticing that Hallie's managed to pull a few strands loose. "It's not very nice to pull your mommy's hair when she's kissing you, Hallie Rivers." She says, brushing the hair from Hallie's tiny hand and tossing it into the trash can by the changing table. "You're in trouble, and don't think that cute little face is getting you off the hook." She teases, though she can't resist smiling as Hallie's tiny lips curl into an almost-smile, her big eyes bright as if trying to understand the joke. "Alright, let's go see who's at the door."

With Hallie in her arms and Chocolate following after them, Hanna heads downstairs to the front door, still smiling from the sweet moment with her daughter. But her grin shifts to a more puzzled expression when she opens the door and finds her dad standing there.

Hanna "Oh… hi, dad…" She greets, surprised, her gaze moving from his face to the oversized teddy bear he's holding. "Isn't that the teddy bear you sent for Hallie a few weeks back?" She asks, baffled.

/

That evening.

Caleb gets home after a long first day back at work. As soon as he steps inside, a deliciously sweet aroma fills the air. He shuts the door behind him and heads toward the kitchen.

Hanna is standing by the oven, and she immediately turns to greet him with a wide smile. "Hi, baby!"

Caleb "Hey!" He greets her back, bending down to pet Chocolate, who's wagging his tail and nudging Caleb's leg in greeting.

Hanna "So? How was your first day back?"

Caleb moves toward the sink, passing Hanna and giving her a quick peck on the lips. "It was okay. Just a ton to catch up on, but… it was fine." He says as he turns on the faucet to wash his hands.

Hanna "Did you miss us at all?" She teases. "Or were you too busy to even think of us?"

Caleb smiles slightly, drying his hands with a kitchen towel. "Of course I missed my girls." He walks over to Hallie's stroller, lifts her gently, and cradles her against his chest. "I almost texted you to ask for a pic of this little one." He murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, his hand gently cradling the back of her head. Then, looking up at Hanna, he raises an eyebrow. "Wait… why are you all dressed up?" He notices her styled hair, red lipstick, a nice top, tight black jeans, and boots. "Thought you were hitting the gym with Spence?"

Hanna "Yeah, I canceled that… I just wanted to spend time with you." She says, stepping closer.

Caleb narrows his eyes, a bit suspicious. "But we've spent the last couple months practically together 24/7. Not that I'm complaining, but… am I your excuse for skipping the gym today?" He gives a slight smile, slipping a hand to rest on her lower back while keeping Hallie in his other arm.

Hanna "No, silly." She says, cupping his face with her hands. "I just thought we could do something together this evening. I baked your favorite cookies, followed your grandma's recipe to the letter again, so you know they'll be good. We could just hang out…" She leans in, giving him a soft kiss. "Maybe talk a little…"

Caleb sighs, pulling back a bit. "Oh, I see what this is about…" He says with a shake of his head. "Go change for the gym, Hanna."

Hanna "Hey… I just want to be here for you." She touches his arm gently, looking up at him. "We don't even have to talk if you don't want to… we could just have the cookies and—"

Caleb frowns, taking a step back. "Hanna, please. I told you a hundred times, I'm fine. You don't need to rearrange your plans because of me. I'm perfectly fine."

Hanna "But you're not, Caleb." She says softly. "You're trying to act like it's all okay, but you're not. You're acting crazy, or at least not like yourself. Last night, you got drunk enough to leave your car at the bar. That's so unlike you… And then my dad showed up here today with Hallie's teddy bear, saying you took it to his office. Just… stop saying you're okay, because you're not. And it's okay to not be okay sometimes."

Caleb tenses up, clearly frustrated. "I'm not acting crazy. I may have had a few too many last night, that's all. I was okay to drive, stupid Jason took my keys. And of course I returned that bear to your dad, I won't let him hurt Hallie like he hurt you all your life, I don't see what's wrong about that."

Hanna's expression softens with sadness.

Caleb "Don't give me that look, Hanna." He snaps. "I'm fine, just… still processing yesterday's stuff. And you don't need to make those stupid cookies to cheer me up. I'm alright. And they don't mean anything to me anyway." He says with a frustrated sigh. "How could you think that's what I need right now?"

Hanna's shoulders drop slightly, her eyes glassy. She nods, her voice barely audible. "Okay."

Caleb sighs deeply, running a hand over his face. "I just need some air. I'm going for a walk." He turns, still holding Hallie.

Hanna "Wait…" She reaches out, resting her hand gently on his arm.

Caleb looks back, visibly tense. "What, Hanna? I don't want to talk about this anymore. Just… go to the gym or whatever you want to do."

Hanna shakes her head, her voice soft and a bit shaky. "I was just going to say… you can't take Hallie with you. I'll need to feed her soon… It's been almost three hours…"

Caleb hands her the baby, giving her a quick, frustrated nod before looking over at Chocolate, who is watching the scene closely. "Come on, Chocolate, let's go for a walk."

But Chocolate doesn't move.

Caleb "Come on, you need to go out." He mutters, grabbing the dog by the collar and pulling him along.

Once at the door, he leashes Chocolate and leaves.

Hanna stands in the kitchen, clutching Hallie close as a few tears finally escape her eyes. She takes a deep breath, standing there for a moment, until the smell of something burning catches her attention.

Hanna "Oh, crap, the cookies!" She murmurs, quickly heading to the oven.

Still holding Hallie, she grabs an oven mitt, but in her rush, doesn't put it on all the way. She pulls out the baking sheet, but it's heavy, and too hot to hold one-handed. She loses her grip, and it falls, clanging loudly against the floor and grazing her forearm on the way down.

Hallie starts crying in her arms, startled by the noise, as Hanna straightens up, wincing from the burn and fighting back more tears. She looks around, overwhelmed by the mess: the cracked, burnt cookies scattered on the floor, Hallie crying in her arms, and the stinging pain in her arm. For a moment, she's paralyzed, not sure which to tend to first.

/

Just as Caleb makes his way down the sidewalk with Chocolate walking beside him, Toby pulls into his driveway.

Toby "Hey, bud!" He calls out, getting out of his car.

Caleb turns briefly, gives him a quick nod, and then looks away, ready to keep walking.

But Toby walks over to them.

Toby "How are you doing? I was hoping to see you and catch up…"

Caleb lets out a frustrated sigh and turns back to him. "Not now, Toby… I just need some time alone." He tugs a little on Chocolate's leash as the dog wanders over to greet Toby. "Come on, Chocolate. We're going to the park."

At the mention of the word "park" Chocolate perks up, resuming his pace with new excitement.

Toby watches Caleb head down the street, concerned, before deciding to check in with Hanna. He heads to the front door and rings the bell. After a pause, Hanna answers, her face showing faint traces of tears as she tries to subtly wipe her eyes, holding a fussy Hallie in her arms.

Hanna "Hey! What's up?" She asks, her surprise evident and her voice a little forced.

Toby "I was worried about Caleb, but… looks like this might be a rough time for you, too. Are you okay? Did you two have a fight?"

Hanna sighs, moving aside to let him in. "Not exactly. He just… got mad at me for trying to help. He keeps saying he's fine, but he's obviously not." She leads Toby toward the kitchen, bouncing Hallie gently as she fusses.

Toby "So things didn't go well with Laura yesterday?"

Hanna "She was actually amazing, so warm and open. She told us everything she knew about Claudia and Caleb's dad, and we finally learned the truth. It's just… Caleb's dad wasn't what he'd hoped. Even though it's a relief to have answers, it disappointed him." She shifts Hallie in her arms, trying to calm her as she starts crying harder.

Toby nods sympathetically, glancing around the kitchen and noticing the mess of cookies on the floor. "Uh… what happened here?" He asks, cutting in.

Hanna "I accidentally dropped a whole sheet of cookies. Look, Toby, I'd love to talk about this because I'm really worried about Caleb too, but… Hallie's starving, the kitchen's a mess, and I burned my arm, which stings like crazy."

Toby "Ah, hell, Han…" He steps closer, gently taking her hand to get a better look at the burn on her arm. "You need to put some burn cream on this… it'll help with the pain, and you should wrap it. Got any bandages? I can run home to grab some if not."

Hanna "Yeah, there's some cream and bandages in the bathroom upstairs."

Toby "Then go put it on, and I'll hold Hallie for you." He reaches to take the baby, offering a reassuring smile.

Hanna hesitates, smiling back gratefully. "Thanks, Toby. I'll be right back."

Around ten minutes later, Hanna returns to the kitchen, now with a bandage on her arm. She hurries over to Toby to take Hallie, whose little face has turned bright red from her wailing.

Toby "Here's your mama, little one." He says softly, smiling as he hands Hallie back. "She's definitely hungry."

Hanna nods, letting out a breath. "Thanks, Toby."

Toby checks his watch. "I've got a few minutes before I need to relieve the babysitter with the kids. Where's the broom? I'll help clean up this cookie disaster."

Hanna "Oh, that's sweet, but you really don't have to. I'll handle it once Hallie's fed."

Toby "It's no big deal." He gives her a reassuring smile.

Hanna gestures toward the laundry room. "It's in there."

Toby heads to the laundry room, while Hanna takes Hallie upstairs to feed her.

A few minutes later, Hanna's settled into the cozy rocking chair in Hallie's room, feeding her, when she hears Toby's voice from the hallway.

Toby "Hey, Han! Kitchen's spotless again. I'll get going. Just… keep me posted about Caleb, okay? I tried talking to him, but he wasn't up for it. Let me know if I can help. Maybe he'll be ready to talk when he's cooled down."

Hanna "Thank you so much for everything, Tobs! And yeah… trying to talk to him right now probably isn't a good idea." She sighs, glancing down at Hallie's calm face. "I just hope his mood's better when he comes back."

Toby "Alright, Han… see you soon."

Hanna "Bye, uncle Toby, we love you." She says softly, managing a small smile despite her lingering worry about Caleb. Toby's kindness helps lift her spirits a little.

/

Meanwhile.

Caleb's parked himself under that big oak tree Hanna loves, her usual spot at the park. Chocolate's lying lazily at his feet. He's been there a while, trying to cool off, but his frustration isn't going anywhere. Scowling, he looks around the park at people enjoying their day, kids running around, a teenage couple sharing snacks on a blanket, a guy with two hyper labradoodles, and an older lady with her tiny Pomeranian. Everyone looks like they're having a good time, and somehow, it only makes him feel worse.

A chilly breeze blows through, but he barely feels it. Then, he notices a dad helping his little girl learn to ride a pink bike nearby. She's getting annoyed, yanking off her helmet and dropping it after a couple of wobbly tries. Caleb's frown softens for a second, thinking about teaching Hallie to ride a bike someday, imagining her determination—and maybe a few tantrums.

But when he glances back at a couple of guys by a bench, he catches them looking his way and laughing. Instantly, he feels that anger spike again, wondering why the hell these guys he doesn't even know are staring at him. Before he can talk himself out of it, he's already getting up, calling Chocolate over.

Caleb "Come on, Chocolate."

Chocolate yawns, looking up slowly, but follows along as Caleb heads over to the guys.

Caleb "Hey, what's so funny?" He doesn't bother hiding the irritation in his voice.

One of the guys raises his hands in a casual, apologetic gesture, still smiling.

Guy "Whoa, man, no offense! I was just telling my buddy here how I accidentally hit on your wife a couple weeks back. I recognized the dog, that's all. Honest mistake." He laughs, then bends down to pet Chocolate. "You've got a cool dog."

Caleb "Don't touch my dog." he tugs Chocolate's leash, pulling him away as he narrows his eyes at the guy.

The guy blinks, taken aback, and steps back a little, hands still raised. "Look, man, I didn't know she was taken, alright? She was real nice about it."

Caleb barely hears him, though. All he sees is the smug grin that won't leave the guy's face. Before he knows it, he's grabbing the guy by the collar, his grip tight.

Caleb "Maybe think twice next time."

The guy's eyes widen, shocked, and he freezes. For a tense second, neither of them moves. But then, out of the corner of his eye, Caleb notices the little girl with the pink bike staring at him, eyes wide and a little scared. Her helmet is still on the ground, forgotten, as she clutches her dad's leg, watching Caleb with a mix of fear and confusion.

It's like a slap to the face.

He lets go, feeling a bit embarrassed, and steps back.

Caleb "Sorry, man." He mutters, sounding like he's talking more to himself. "I… I shouldn't have done that."

The guy nods, looking a little rattled. "Yeah… no problem, really. I had no way to know she was taken. She even told me you have a baby." He explains again.

Caleb nods, and too ashamed to look him in the eye, he mumbles another apology. "Really sorry. This isn't… me."

Then he turns, giving Chocolate's leash a gentle pull and heading toward the park exit. His anger's still there, but now there's guilt too. Hanna was right, he's clearly not okay, and he's doing things that aren't like him.

Lost in his thoughts, Caleb heads home, already dreading the conversation he needs to have with Hanna.

/

With a lump in his throat, Caleb slides his key into the lock and opens the front door, letting Chocolate pad inside ahead of him. After freeing the dog from the leash and hanging it on the hook by the door, he takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and heads into the living area.

Hanna is sitting on the floor with her back against the couch, her legs bent in front of her and her feet flat on the ground. Her sketchbook is propped against her thighs, balanced as she draws. The coffee table is a chaotic mix of drawing pencils and baby essentials. Hallie is napping peacefully in her baby lounger nearby, her tiny hands curled by her face.

Chocolate makes his way to Hallie's lounger, sniffing curiously at her before lying down next to her like a vigilant guard.

Hanna's eyes flick up to Caleb, her expression immediately softening as their gazes lock. He stands there, looking at her like he doesn't know where to begin. She studies him, searching his face for clues about his mood, but his blank expression gives nothing away. She opens her mouth to say something but hesitates, shutting it again as her eyes fill with quiet concern.

Caleb "I…" He swallows hard, his voice barely audible. "I'm sorry."

The words crack as they leave him. He looks away, his jaw tightening as his eyes scrunch shut. A couple of tears escape despite his efforts to hold them back.

Hanna doesn't hesitate. She drops her sketchbook onto the couch and stands up, crossing the room in a heartbeat. Her arms wrap around his neck, pulling him into a fierce hug.

Caleb "Why are you always so damn right?" His voice is shaky as he buries his face against her shoulder. His arms come around her, holding on like she's the only thing keeping him grounded. "I did something so stupid, Han… I'm so ashamed. I just wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole back at the park... I'm not like that… I didn't—" He breaks off with a frustrated groan, shaking his head. "Fuck!"

Hanna pulls back just enough to look at him, her brow furrowed with worry. He avoids her gaze, but she reaches up, her hand gently cupping his jawline, guiding his face toward hers.

Hanna "I don't know what happened, but I'm sure it wasn't as bad as you think." She leans in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "And I'm sorry too."

Her words catch him off guard, he looks at her confused.

Caleb "For what? I'm the jerk here."

Hanna "You're not a jerk, Caleb. You're just… hurt. And I… I don't know how to be there for you. I don't know what you need from me." Her thumb brushes over his cheek in soothing strokes. "Now I know how you must've felt all this time, with my hormones all over the place and everything else, watching me struggle, wanting to help but not knowing how. It's so frustrating, isn't it? Feeling like you're just making things worse…"

Caleb "You didn't, Han." His voice softens as he leans into her touch, some of the tension in his shoulders easing. "You only make things better for me. Always."

Hanna gives him a small, sad smile, her hand lingering on his cheek. "Wanna talk about it now, or…?" Her voice is gentle but cautious. She brushes away the tear tracks on his face with her fingertips.

Caleb "Not right now." He murmurs, his gaze dropping. "I just need to cool off. I feel stupid… crying like this."

Hanna nods in understanding, though worry still flickers in her eyes. Caleb pulls away gently, letting go of her.

Caleb "I'll go out back for a bit. Get some fresh air. Going to that park was dumb… Too many people."

Hanna "Okay… you sure that's what you need?"

Caleb nods, already turning toward the backyard. "I just need a minute."

Hanna "Wait, take this." She grabs a blanket from the couch and walks over, draping it over his arm. "It's freezing outside."

Caleb glances at her, his lips twitching into the faintest hint of a smile. "Thanks."

Hanna watches him go, wrapping the blanket tightly around himself as he steps outside. She sighs. She's still worried, but at least he's finally letting his guard down.

/

Around an hour later, Hanna steps outside into the cool air and spots Caleb lying on the double lounger by the covered pool.

Hanna "Hey…" She says softly, approaching him, holding Hallie's baby monitor in her hand.

Caleb "Hey." His voice is calmer now, and his expression seems more at ease.

Hanna "Mind if I join you? I could really use a hug…"

A faint smile tugs at Caleb's lips. "Oh, you need a hug, huh?"

Hanna mirrors his smile, her eyes warm. "Yeah, I need a hug because I'm sad that you're sad."

Without hesitation, Caleb lifts the edge of the blanket, opening his arms to her. "Nice move. Pretending you need comfort just to comfort me…"

Hanna grins, setting the baby monitor on the side table before sliding onto the lounger. She snuggles in close, letting Caleb wrap the blanket snugly around them both. His warmth and steady breathing soothe her, just as she hopes to do for him. Tilting her head up, she places her fingers under his chin and gently guides his face down to hers, pressing a tender kiss to his lips.

Hanna "So… are you going to tell me what happened at the park? Did you step on freshly planted grass? Or did Chocolate poop and you didn't pick it up?" She smirks, her teasing tone light and playful.

Caleb gives her a flat look, though his lips twitch slightly.

Hanna "What? You might've had a sketchy-guy phase as a rebel teen, but now you're such a goodie." She nudges him lightly, trying to get a smile from him. When he stays quiet, staring up at the starry sky, her own smile falters. She leans her head against his shoulder, her hand gently tracing circles on his forearm under the blanket. "Come on, it can't have been that bad."

Caleb "Yes, it was." He exhales deeply. "And I still feel terrible about it. I almost beat the shit out of that guy who hit on you at the park a couple of weeks ago…"

Hanna pulls back, her brows knitting together in confusion. "Wait, what? You were jealous about that guy? It was nothing, Caleb, it was just some silly moment. How'd you even know it was him?"

Caleb hesitates, biting his lip before answering. "No, I wasn't jealous. I mean, we laughed about it when you told me. I thought it was funny, too. And I was fine with it, really. He put you in a good mood, and it was harmless. But…" He trails off, shaking his head as though frustrated with himself. "I saw him and his friend looking in my direction, laughing and commenting. That's why I walked up to them. He said he recognized Chocolate and even apologized for hitting on you. That's how I knew it was him."

Hanna "Okay, so what happened next?"

Caleb lets out a self-deprecating chuckle, shaking his head. "He was friendly. But I was already pissed off and frustrated, and his stupid smile just pushed me over the edge. Before I knew it, I grabbed him by his shirt, ready to swing at him." His voice drops to a whisper. "In front of all those people… and this little girl with her dad… Han, you should've seen her face. She was scared of me."

Hanna "But you didn't hit him, right?"

Caleb "No, I didn't." He rubs a hand down his face, his voice heavy with regret. "The second I saw that little girl's face, it was like reality hit me hard. I let go, apologized, and left. But it doesn't change the fact that I ruined the moment for everyone at the park… You were right, I'm acting crazy. That wasn't like me, Han. I wasn't even mad at the guy, I just took my rage out on him. I feel like such an ass."

Hanna "You're not an ass, Caleb." Her voice is soft but firm. "You're just… overwhelmed. And yeah, it wasn't your best moment, but it doesn't define you. You just said it yourself, it wasn't like you. You realized what you were doing and stopped. That matters, okay?" She brushes his hair back, her fingers lingering on his temple. "You're human, babe. Cut yourself some slack."

Caleb brings his hand to cup her cheek. "I was an ass to you too, earlier. I'm sorry."

Hanna shrugs. "It wasn't that bad, don't worry. Besides, I've snapped at you so many times in the last few months, so... You still have some catching up to do before we're even." She smiles.

Caleb smiles back, his thumb brushing her cheek. "Maybe we should just stop snapping at each other altogether, don't you think?"

Hanna laughs softly. "Yeah, sure, we could try. But... no promises until my postpartum hormones chill out."

Caleb chuckles. "Fair enough."

Hanna raises an eyebrow. "So, are you gonna kiss me already or what?"

Caleb tilts his head. "Huh?"

Hanna smirks, resting her hand on top of his where it's still cupping her cheek. "I thought you were gonna kiss me when you put your hand here."

Caleb's lips twitch into a smile before he leans in, gently pulling her closer. He starts a slow, tender kiss. It amazes him how she's managed to turn his whole mood around.

After a few seconds, he pulls back, still grinning.

Caleb "So… now that I apologized, can I have one of those delicious cookies you baked?"

Hanna snorts. "Delicious? Babe, I burned them, then dropped them all over the kitchen floor. What was left is now in the trash."

Caleb blinks. "Really? Can't you just make some more?"

Hanna sits up, letting out a dramatic sigh as she holds up her bandaged forearm for him to see. "Does this look like the result of a successful baking session? I made a total mess in the kitchen."

Caleb takes her arm gently, his face softening. "Oh, Han... I'm sorry. This is totally my fault."

Hanna frowns. "How is this your fault? I was just dumb enough not to put Hallie in her stroller before taking the cookies out of the oven."

Caleb shakes his head. "I upset you when you were just trying to make me feel better. I'm sorry about what I said earlier about the cookies. I didn't mean it... or at least not the way it came out."

Hanna raises an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.

Caleb "When I said the cookies didn't mean anything to me, I meant they don't mean to me what you think they do. I know you make them because you think it could make me feel connected to my family. But the truth is, it doesn't. That my grandmother used to bake them for my grandpa doesn't mean anything to me, so it's not like I'll develop some deep, sentimental bond with the cookies just because of it. But the fact that you took the time to learn the recipe—when we both know baking isn't exactly your thing? That means everything to me, that is what makes them special to me. And for real, they are the best cookies I've ever had."

Hanna smiles at him. "Well, in that case... I think I still have enough ingredients for another batch. Come on." She stands up and tugs on his hand. "Let's head inside. I'm getting cold out here."

Caleb gets up but pauses to glance at her arm again. "Does it still hurt?"

Hanna shakes her head. "Not anymore. I put some cream on it, and it's fine."

Caleb nods, brushing his fingers lightly over her wrist. "Okay, but you don't have to bake more cookies, babe. Let's just relax on the couch until it's time to make dinner."

Hanna grins mischievously, taking Hallie's monitor from the table. "Who said I was baking them myself? You're helping. We're doing this together. Besides, we're not done talking."

Caleb groans playfully, following her back to the house. "What now?"

Hanna shoots him a look over her shoulder. "You still have to explain why the hell you went to see my dad today."

/

The kitchen smells like vanilla and chocolate as Hanna and Caleb work on a fresh batch of cookies. Hallie naps peacefully in her stroller nearby.

Caleb rolls a ball of dough between his palms, glancing at Hanna as she stirs the mixing bowl. "So, you think he'll stick around?"

Hanna shrugs, her tone cautious. "I don't know. He seemed happy to meet Hallie today, he even held her. But… who knows? Let's not forget he only came over because you gave him an ultimatum. Maybe we should just test him for a while, see if he really steps up. And if he screws up, who cares? Hallie will be too little to remember anyway."

Caleb sets the dough ball on the baking sheet, wiping his hands on a dish towel. "I'm sorry about what I did anyway. It wasn't really my place… more like an impulse. I didn't even think it through. I saw the bear this morning, and, well, I guess it was just me acting weird again."

Hanna sets the spoon down and moves closer to him, resting her hands on his shoulders. Her fingers brush over the fabric of his shirt as she meets his eyes. "I think it was sweet of you. Maybe not the best way to go about it, but you did it for Hallie." She leans in, giving him a soft peck on the lips before tugging his collar into place. "Hallie and I were actually about to surprise you at work with lunch when my dad showed up, you know? The cookies were just plan B."

Caleb raises an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a teasing smile. He lifts a hand, gently tracing the curve of her bottom lip with his fingertip. "Oh, you were? So that's what these hot red lips and Hallie's super-cute little sweater were about?"

Hanna nods. "We just wanted to look pretty for you."

Caleb chuckles. "Mission accomplished." His voice drops slightly, and before Hanna can respond, his hands slide down to her thighs. He picks her up with ease, lifting her onto the counter.

Hanna "Caleb!" She laughs as she wraps her arms around his neck.

Caleb "What?" He teases, his grin widening. "You know exactly what those red lips of yours do to me." He captures her lips in a slow, heated kiss that deepens as she pulls him closer by the back of his shirt.

Just as the moment intensifies, a loud crunch interrupts them. They pull apart, startled, to see Chocolate standing on his hind legs, nose buried in the mixing bowl, devouring what's left of the dough.

Hanna "Chocolate!" She groans, sliding off the counter.

Caleb bursts out laughing.

Hanna glares at him, though a smile tugs at her lips. "This is your fault. You distracted me!"

Caleb "Oh, come on!" He teases, grabbing her by the waist. "You weren't exactly complaining."

Hanna shakes her head, but she's laughing now too. "Fine. But you're paying the vet's bill if he gets sick."

Caleb "Yes, ma'am." He grins, giving her a quick peck on the lips before turning toward the mischievous Chocolate. "And you, buddy, are officially banned from the kitchen."

/

Later on.

Hanna "We should definitely stop having these cookies for dinner." She lets out a deep breath, like even breathing has become a chore.

She and Caleb are on the couch. He's sitting with his back fully rested against the backrest, while Hanna is lying on her back, her legs stretched out across his lap. Hallie is there too, her little butt and legs resting on Hanna's shins and her back supported against Caleb's torso. Caleb's hand looks huge on her tiny chest as he gently supports her.

Caleb "And thank god Chocolate stole what was left of the dough… I think I'm drunk on cookies, if that's even possible…"

Hanna shoots him a smile, then gazes at the ceiling. For a moment, the room falls quiet except for the sound of Chocolate's snores as he naps on the floor beside her. Caleb takes Hallie's hand in his palm, admiring her super tiny fingers before gently playing with them absentmindedly. Hallie, full from her last feeding and comfortably settled in her fresh diaper, looks around the room with wide, curious eyes. She's so relaxed but still so alert, as if she's discovering every detail of the world around her, perfectly content in Caleb's arms.

Hanna looks back at Caleb and breaks the silence. "Can I ask you something, now that you're feeling better? You don't have to answer if you don't want to… I was actually going to ask you this last night, when you were brutally-honest drunk, but you fell asleep before I had the chance."

Caleb smiles slightly, his eyes still on Hallie's hand. "Oh, so you were going to take advantage of me while I was drunk? Nice!" He teases.

Hanna grins shyly.

Caleb glances at her now. "Go ahead, shoot."

Hanna "What was it that hurt you so much? I mean, what Laura told us was obviously sad, but… you learned that Claudia actually cared about you. She cared enough to go back one last time and check on you and Susan. And Jamie, he just never knew about you, baby. He didn't get the chance. And if it was really all about getting Hallie a grandpa, she doesn't need one. Even if my dad turns out to be just as crappy a grandpa as he is a dad, Hallie will be more than fine with our little family. We're enough. Besides, my mom is great, she makes up for all the other grandparents Hallie's missing."

Caleb sighs. "Tough question, Han… were you really expecting me to answer that drunk as I was last night?"

Hanna smirks. "Didn't you say you were just a bit tipsy?"

Caleb rolls his eyes before focusing back on Hallie's hand. He gently rubs circles on her palm with his thumb. "I guess wanting to learn about my father wasn't just for Hallie's sake. It was for me too, you know? It would've been nice to meet him, to have someone to introduce Hallie to. I'm so proud of her, Han. She's perfect. She's my daughter, and I have no family to share that with. No one to say, 'Hey, look at this beautiful baby I made.' It's the same feeling I had after I met you. I had no one to introduce you to. I wished so many times my grandpa was still around to meet you. And now it's the same with her." He takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself as tears well up in his eyes. "But like I told you yesterday, those things don't happen to me. It's just my luck. Of course, the guy was going to be dead for years."

Hanna sits up, draping her arm over his shoulders as she leans in to press a soft kiss to his cheek. "That's probably one of the sweetest things you've ever said. But it still breaks my heart."

Caleb lets go of Hallie's hand to place his on Hanna's thigh and give her a gentle squeeze. "And honestly? Learning that Claudia actually cared about me pissed me off too. I know it's… a nice thing, but I can't help thinking, what if she'd kept me anyway? Even if she wasn't doing well emotionally, maybe my grandparents could've raised me or something. It pisses me off that my childhood was crap because a bunch of things went wrong, and it wasn't really anyone's fault. Jamie was dead, Claudia couldn't keep me, but she still found someone nice to raise me. And then Susan died a few years later. I had Henry, who would've taken me in if he'd just known about me, but none of those stupid social workers thought about that. They just dumped me into one crappy foster home after another." He sighs, dragging a hand over his face. "Anyway, I don't want to talk about this anymore. That's it. I just told you everything that's been on my mind these past couple of days."

Hanna wraps both arms around his neck, hugging him from the side. "Thanks for opening up to me. I know you hate feeling this vulnerable, but you don't have to play tough with me. I'm your wife."

Caleb turns his head to kiss her lightly. "I know, Han. You know I've told you personal stuff right from the beginning, even when we were just friends. But sometimes, I need time to cool off first. And yeah, I hate crying. What can I say? Luckily for me, this little one is too tiny to remember yesterday."

Hanna "What's wrong with crying? I want Hallie to grow up knowing it's okay to show her feelings. I want her to learn it's okay for boys to cry too, even her super daddy."

Caleb grins. "Yeah, but bawling my eyes out yesterday while clutching her like a freaking tick? That might traumatize her."

Hanna laughs. "Okay, maybe that was a bit much. But who cares? We've got at least two years before we can really screw her up… maybe longer. I don't remember anything before I was three."

Caleb chuckles. "Let's try not to screw up too much, just in case." He shifts Hallie in his hands, gently turning her around so she's facing him and Hanna. Supporting her head with one hand and her back with the other, he smiles down at her. "Hey there, daddy's cute little girl."

Hallie's wide eyes blink up at him, her gaze unfocused but clearly curious, typical of a baby who's barely over a month old.

Hanna smiles at her daughter too. "I think we're doing pretty well at this whole parenting thing. Right, Hallie?" She catches Hallie's attention, and the baby's eyes slowly drift toward her now. "Aren't we the best parents ever? Yes, we are, baby girl. And you love us so, so much, don't you?"

Hanna leans in and starts covering the crook of Hallie's neck with gentle kisses. Hallie squirms a little, her tiny hands flailing as she tries to adjust, but one little fist accidentally catches a strand of Hanna's hair.

Hanna lets out a dramatic sigh. "Ouch, Hallie! Seriously, again?"

Caleb laughs, already stepping in to help untangle Hanna's hair. "Think she's done with kisses."

Hanna smirks. "No way, Hallie. You don't get to turn down my kisses until you're a teenager."

Caleb "There you go, babe." He tells Hanna once he manages to free her hair.

Hanna "Thanks, baby." She says, smoothing her hair.

Caleb leans in closer. "You know, I won't pull your hair if you kiss me…"

Hanna grins, cupping his face in her hands. "No, you're more likely to pull my hair when I do that other thing to you." Her voice drops into a teasing tone before she kisses him.

Caleb laughs against her lips. "How old did you say she has to be before we traumatize her?"

Hanna pulls back, laughing. "Okay, maybe I shouldn't say stuff like that in front of her anymore."

Caleb smirks. "But you'll keep saying those dirty things to me, right?"

Hanna's grin turns mischievous. "Oh, absolutely." She bites her bottom lip before pulling him into another kiss.