Author's Note: Chapter 25?! INSANE! When I first started writing this, I thought it might make it to 15, but it just kept spilling out. Thank you for all of the support and for following along! We still have a lot of story left to go, but I wanted to take a moment to celebrate this little milestone :)
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Chapter 25-I Have Some News
It was 2am, and Jenna was wide awake. Hank was asleep behind her, his face buried in her hair, his arms protectively wrapped around her waist, holding her tight against him. She looked down at the ring on her finger. No matter how many times she looked at it, a part of her still didn't feel like any of this was real.
Jenna knew Hank loved her. He told her he loved her, and she felt it, especially when he held her like this. She always felt so safe, so protected in his arms, and thinking about spending the rest of her life wrapped in those arms had her heart threatening to burst out of her chest.
She didn't think she could sleep, so she maneuvered herself out of bed, careful not to disturb Hank, and grabbed her phone. She picked Hank's discarded shirt up off of the floor and put it on. She went out into the living room and texted Addison and Audrey, asking if they were awake and could talk. They both said yes, so she quickly FaceTimed them.
"What's going on? It's midnight here, so it's gotta be 2:00 there. Why are you awake?" Addison asked.
"I have some news," Jenna said.
"What's going on?" Audrey asked.
Jenna held up her hand, showing them her ring. They both started screaming. Jenna tried to shush them. "Hank is asleep."
"Are you serious? When?" Addison asked.
Jenna started retelling the story, how the week had gone, how they spent their evening, and Hank's proposal. The girls squealed their shared excitement, and Jenna tearfully wished they were there to celebrate with her in person.
"That's so sweet," Audrey said, wiping at her own tears. "I'm so happy for you both."
"It really was so sweet and so intimate and just perfect." Jenna stopped, trying to choke down her tears.
"This is incredible!" Addison said. "Do your kids know?"
"No, not yet. We haven't told anyone yet. We just wanted to keep it quiet and protected and just for us for now. He's asleep, and I needed to talk about it, and I don't think he'll mind that I told you two. Just please don't tell anyone."
Just then, Hank walked out into the living room. "Babe, where did you go?" he asked sleepily.
"Oh hey. Come here," she said, holding her hand out to him. He walked over and leaned over the back of the couch so he could see the phone.
"Oh. It's the girls," he said.
Jenna looked up at him. "Yeah. I couldn't sleep, so I called them."
"Congratulations Hank!" Addison said. "We're so happy for you two."
"We are! We're so happy that you and Jenna are so happy," Audrey said.
"Thank you both. Your support means a lot to both of us." He kissed the top of Jenna's head. "I'll leave you alone with them."
"I'll be in soon."
"Don't be long," he said, kissing her head again.
When he was gone, Jenna turned back to her friends. "I should go. It's late, so I should let you two get to bed."
"I'm so glad you called us," Addison said. "I just wish we were there with you in person."
"Me too!" Audrey said.
"Thank you both! I love you both so much!"
They said their goodbyes, and Jenna quietly crept back to bed. She was surprised to see that Hank was still awake. When she climbed back into the bed, he pulled her back into his arms, holding her tight against his chest as her arms circled him.
"I missed you in here," Hank said softly, his lips brushing her forehead.
"I just couldn't sleep and didn't think I could keep this news to myself any longer, and I didn't want to wake you up."
Hank pulled back to look down at her. "It's cute how excited you are," he said, tracing her face with his finger.
"I'm very excited," Jenna said as she kissed him. "I'm so lucky."
Hank's fingers found the hem of Jenna's shirt, grasping it and lifting it over her head. His eyes took a moment to drift down her body before meeting her eyes again. "I'm pretty sure I'm the lucky one here," he said as his lips found hers.
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Mid-morning the next day, Hank and Jenna decided that it was time to share their news with their children. They decided to FaceTime Jenna's kids and later invite Erin over to tell her in person.
Jenna texted all of her kids, letting them know that she needed to FaceTime with all of them, that it was important that everyone was available.
An hour later, after the girls gathered together at Sara's house, Jenna made the call.
The first few minutes were spent squealing, laughing, and catching up. Even though it had only been a few weeks since she'd seen her girls, Jenna was missing them all terribly. She wished they could all be together in person to share this news, but she was grateful for the technology to be able to at least see their faces.
"It's so good to see all of you! I miss you so much! Hank and I wish all of you could be with us."
"We do too Mom," Paige said.
"So what's going on?" Chloe asked. "It feels like something is up."
Hank took Jenna's hand, and Jenna took a deep breath. "So, the reason we called you all together is..." She looked over at Hank and he nodded. "Hank and I got engaged last night."
The kids all sat in silence for a few moments, just staring at them, processing the announcement.
Finally, Nick spoke. "Wow, Mom, this is great," he said. "I'm so happy for you both."
"Thank you Nick," Jenna said.
She looked at the girls, waiting for a response from them. Taylor looked down as tears started rolling down her face. Sara squeezed Chloe's hand as Chloe put her arm around Taylor. Jenna looked at her kids in shock, waiting for them to speak. "Say something please."
Finally, Chloe spoke. "I think we're all happy that you and Hank are happy together. I just don't know that any of us expected it to go this far."
Jenna shook her head. "I don't understand."
"It's just...what about Dad?" Taylor asked tearfully.
Hank closed his eyes for a moment, realizing where Jenna's family's thoughts were going. He thought they had accepted him. He thought his visit at Christmas went well, but evidently the girls didn't see him having a future with her. He pulled Jenna closer for a moment and whispered in her ear. "I think I'm going to go the bedroom and let you talk to your kids."
"You don't have to."
"I think this is a conversation that I don't need to be a part of. I think they can be more open and honest with me out of the room." He kissed the side of her head. "Come get me when you need me."
When he was gone, Jenna looked at her kids and said "I don't understand what's happening right now."
"I think what everyone is thinking is that it's hard to think about you having a future with someone who isn't Dad," Derek said. "We all like Hank a lot, and he's been good to you, but he's not Jake."
"Yeah, he's not Jake. He is a very different person, and some of those differences are things that I really love about him."
"Does he love you? Because if he does, we don't really see it," Sara said.
"Yes he loves me! You aren't here with us, so you don't get to see as much. He's not super comfortable being physical with me in front of all of you, and probably with good reason, considering how you all are reacting right now. He has tried so hard to respect your father's place in your life and not do anything to make anyone uncomfortable. But yes, he loves me, and he shows me that when we're alone. I feel it even when he doesn't say it, and I can't believe you're questioning it."
Jenna wiped at the tears rolling down her face. "I can't believe we're even having this conversation. You can't imagine how hurt I feel right now."
"I think we should probably go, give everyone time to process this news, and then try to talk about it again later. I think everyone just needs some time," Evan said.
Hank listened to the conversation from just outside Jenna's bedroom door. Based on a conversation with Evan while they were in California, he wasn't entirely surprised at the girls' reaction. He had hoped that Evan was wrong, that he was misreading the signs from the girls, but clearly he wasn't. Hank leaned against the wall, putting his head in his hands for a moment. He hoped that Jenna's daughters' lack of enthusiasm wouldn't cause her to rethink their relationship.
Hank heard that the conversation was coming to an end, but he couldn't let them end the call without telling them his feelings about their mother.
He walked back into Jenna's room and said, "Can I say something before we hang up?"
"Go ahead," Jenna tearfully said, handing him the phone.
"I'm sorry that this has come as a shock to all of you, but I need you to know that I love your mother, very very much. I'm sorry if you don't feel it, but she's the most important person in the world to me. I'm sure it's difficult seeing another man stepping into the husband role for her, but she's happy with me, very happy. She deserves to be happy, and I want to spend the rest of my life making her happy. Isn't her happiness what all of you want?"
They all nodded.
"I thought so. Now, I'm going to be in her life. She wants me here, and I'm not going anywhere, so I suggest you think long and hard about how important it is for you to be against this relationship."
Nick, wanting to make sure that Jenna and Hank knew his feelings, took that moment to interject. "Mom, I want you to know that I love you and I love the happiness Hank has brought into your life. I know based on the time we spent together and the conversations we've had that he really loves you and he's in this forever. I fully support this relationship, and I'm very happy for you both."
"Thank you Sweetie," Jenna said, wiping at her tears.
"We should go," Chloe said.
Sara wiped at her tears as she said, "I'm sorry Mom. I like Hank, I really do, I just..."
"Stop. Please," Jenna said, holding up her hands. "I can't have this conversation anymore."
"We love you. You know that, don't you?" Sara asked.
"I do. And I love you too, all of you, so much. But it's time for us to go."
They hung up, and Jenna stood up, walking toward the kitchen. Hank followed her but stood back, giving her a moment to process the conversation. After a few minutes, she turned to him, her tears coming harder. "What just happened?"
Hank took her in his arms, holding her close as she cried into his chest. He rubbed her back over and over. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."
Hank pulled Jenna over to the couch, sitting down as he pulled her into his lap. She sobbed into his chest as he cradled her against him.
After her sobs subsided, Hank made her look at him. "This is going to be ok."
"Will it?" she asked softly as he wiped at her tears.
Hank nodded. "Of course it will. We'll figure this out. It's going to be ok."
Jenna rested her forehead against Hank's. "I'm so sorry they reacted like this. I'm...I'm shocked. I didn't know that they were feeling like this."
"I guess it's because they didn't realize we were that serious. But when they have some time to think, I'm sure they'll come around," he said, gently wiping her tears.
"I hope. I just..." Jenna stopped, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I don't want this to change how you feel about me and about us."
Hank cradled her face in his hands, his heart breaking for her. "Jenna, that would never happen. I don't care what they think about me." He forced a small smile. "You know me; I don't care what anyone thinks about me, except for you. Yeah, it would be nice to be able to have a good relationship with them, but as long as your feelings about me don't change, we don't have a problem. I can handle whatever they throw at me. I love you, and I'm never going to stop. You understand?"
Jenna nodded. "Yeah," she whispered, wiping at her tears.
Hank pulled her close and kissed her. "I love you Jenna."
"I love you Hank."
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Several hours later, Erin nervously knocked on Jenna's door. Hank called and asked her to come over, that he and Jenna needed to talk to her. It sounded serious, and she was a little nervous.
"Hi Sweetie," Jenna said as she opened the door.
"Hi Jenna," Erin said, hugging her.
"Hey kiddo," Hank said as he hugged her. "Glad you're here."
Erin followed Hank and Jenna to the couch, sitting down beside them. "What do you need to talk to me about? Is everything ok? This is really making me nervous."
"It's good news. At least, we think it's good news," Jenna said.
Hank put his arm around Jenna and reached over to put his hand on top of Erin's. "Erin, I've asked this incredible woman to marry me, and she said yes."
"Oh my goodness!" Erin said, tears coming to her eyes. She gave Jenna as massive hug. "I'm so happy for you two."
She jumped up to hug Hank too. "This is amazing. It's so good seeing you happy like this." She turned back to Jenna. "Thank you for making him so happy."
Hank took Jenna's hand, pulling her up from the couch into his arms. "She really does. I haven't been this happy in a very long time."
"You two are so good together. I was hoping this is the direction this would go." She hugged Jenna again. "Thank you for putting up with him. I know it isn't easy."
"Watch yourself," Hank said.
Erin laughed. "You know it's true! You're moody and cranky and kind of a jerk sometimes. It takes a special woman to be able to put up with that. You're definitely special Jenna."
"Thank you Erin. Your support means so much to both of us." Tears came to her eyes as she looked over at Hank.
"It's ok," he said softly.
"I just need a minute, ok?"
Hank squeezed her hand. "Whatever you need, babe."
Jenna walked into the kitchen, trying to compose herself.
"What was that about?" Erin asked quietly.
Hank sighed. "We told her kids earlier. It didn't go well."
Erin put her hand on his arm. "Oh no. Hank, what happened?"
"Apparently they didn't think we were thinking long-term, and they can't see anyone other than their father being her husband. They questioned my feelings for her, and it was pretty awful. Nick is good with everything, but the girls aren't ok with it. It devastated her. She was just...shattered."
"I'm sure. Are you ok?"
Hank shrugged. "I'm fine. It didn't feel good, but it's not changing anything. I love her, and I'm going to be with her whether they like it or not."
"They'll come around," Erin said, squeezing his hand.
"I hope so."
Just then, Jenna walked back in. "Sorry," she said.
"It's ok," Erin said, hugging her again. "I'm so happy for you both. So, can I PLEASE take you to dinner tonight to celebrate?!"
"You don't have to do that," Hank said.
"Please! I want to!"
"That would be nice. Thank you Erin," Jenna said.
"Great! You decide where, and I'll get reservations made. Is it ok if I tell Jay and bring him along?"
"Why don't you bring him, and we'll tell him there. Does that work?" Hank asked.
"Perfect." She hugged both of them again. "Congratulations. I'm so happy for y'all."
"Thank you Erin," Hank said.
Erin took Jenna's hands. "I'm so glad we're going to have you in our lives forever. I don't know how we made it without you."
"I feel the same way about both of you too. I love you, Sweetie."
"I love you too," Erin said, hugging her again.
When Erin was gone, Hank closed the door behind her before turning back to Jenna. "Well that went considerably better than earlier."
"Yeah, it did," Jenna said. As Hank took her in his arms, she said, "Thank goodness for that sweet girl."
"We're lucky to have her."
"We sure are."
Hank gently stroked her cheek. "This is going to be ok. I promise you, it will all work out."
"Don't," Jenna said. "I don't want to talk about them or think about them anymore. I just want to soak in all of this excitement of getting to spend the rest of my life with the most incredible man, and I want to have a fun dinner celebrating with our daughter and her boyfriend."
"Our daughter?" Hank asked.
Jenna shrugged. "Well…yeah. I mean, if I'm marrying you, that means I get her too, right?"
"Goodness, I love you," Hank said as their lips met in a deep kiss.
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Later that evening, Hank and Jenna met Erin and Jay at one of their favorite restaurants. After hugs and handshakes, food and drink orders, Jay's detective skills went into overdrive.
"So what's the occasion?" Jay asked. "When Erin asked me to come, I could tell something was up, but she wouldn't tell me. Anyone want to tell me what's going on?"
"There is a special reason why we're here tonight," Hank said, squeezing Jenna's hand as he smiled at her. "Jay, Jenna and I got engaged last night."
"Really? Wow. Congratulations," Jay said, hugging both of them. "This is awesome."
"It is," Jenna said, smiling at Hank. "We're very happy."
"I'm very happy for you. Sarge, don't screw this up."
Hank chuckled. "I'll do my best."
"So tell us how it happened? How did you ask her?" Erin asked.
Jenna and Hank looked at each other. "Go ahead," Hank said.
"We were at my place. It's been a really crazy week, and we were just lying together on my couch, not really even talking, just enjoying a quiet night alone. We were having a moment, and he pulled out the ring and asked me. Of course I said yes."
"So this is something you'd been planning awhile," Erin said, wiping at her tears.
"It is," Hank said, putting his arm around Jenna and pulling her closer. "I've known this is what I wanted for a long time, but I've had the ring a few weeks, and I've just been waiting for the right time. Last night, it just felt right, and it ended up being perfect," he said, kissing the side of her head.
"It really was a perfect night," Jenna said, smiling up at him.
"We're so happy for you two," Erin tearfully said as she hugged them both.
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At the end of the evening, as they said goodbye, Jenna hugged Erin and said, "Thank you for a great night. Thank you for being so supportive. It means a lot."
"You're welcome. I'm grateful that you came into Hank's life. He needed you so much, and I'm glad that I get to have you in my life too."
"I'm the lucky one. I want you to know that I'm here for you, for anything you need. I know you're not close with your mother, and I'm not trying to replace her, but if you need anything, I'm here."
"Thank you Jenna. That means a lot," Erin said, hugging her again.
"Thanks for tonight," Hank said as he hugged Erin.
"Congratulations Hank. I'm so happy for you two."
"Me too," said Jay, shaking Hank's hand and hugging Jenna. "Very happy for you both."
"Thank you," Hank said. "This is just the beginning of what I anticipate will be an incredible lifetime together. I'll see both of you at the office on Monday."
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Monday morning, when Erin got to the station, she immediately rushed into Hank's office.
"Hey!" she said excitedly.
Hank looked up from the report he was working on. "Good morning."
"Are you telling everyone today? Because I'm about to burst with excitement, and I don't know how much longer I can keep it in."
"Yeah, I guess I can tell them when everyone gets here."
When everyone was there, Hank took a deep breath and walked out of his office. "I need to say something. Erin isn't going to stop bugging me until I make an announcement."
"Everything ok, Boss?" Adam asked.
"Everything is fine. Jenna and I got engaged this weekend."
"WHAT?!" Kim said.
"SARGE! This is great!" Hailey said as she hugged him. The others all came over to congratulate him.
"When did this happen? Tell us everything!" Kim said.
Hank sighed. "Friday night. I've been planning it for awhile, and the time was right. We've had a great weekend celebrating."
"Congratulations," Al said as he hugged Hank. "She's an incredible woman."
"She is. I'm a very lucky man."
"She's a good one, Sarge," Kevin said.
"Thanks Atwater."
Adam shook Hank's hand. "Boss, I don't know how you landed a girl like her, but I'm happy for you."
"Thanks…I think. Ok, enough, let's get back to work."
Hank went back into his office, sitting down in his chair. His eyes drifted over to a picture of him and Jenna that Erin had put on his desk a couple of months ago. He ran his fingers over her face. He meant what he said to Al; he was a very lucky man. He was sure he didn't deserve someone like her, but he was thankful, and he was going to spend the rest of his life striving to be a man that was worthy to be in the presence of someone so remarkable.