It wasn't at first sight

Chapter 74

Sunday evening.

Hanna "Finally home!" She says, as they pull into the driveway.

The familiar sight of their house brings a wave of relief as she stares out the window.

Caleb "Finally home." He repeats while parking.

Hanna "My mom says she's bringing Chocolate herself. She wants to see me." She tells Caleb while checking her phone, then tosses it into her purse before opening her door.

Caleb "Okay, babe." He responds while getting out of the car.

He goes around the car to help Hanna, but when he gets to her side, she's already carefully getting out. She supports her baby bump with one hand and uses the other to grip the edge of the car door, steadying herself as she slowly stands up. Caleb is by her side in an instant, ready to offer support.

Hanna takes a deep breath of the fresh evening air, feeling the tension of the past days start to melt away. "It feels so good to be back." She says, smiling at Caleb.

Caleb smiles back, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Let's get you inside and settled."

/

Around an hour later.

Hanna is cuddling on the huge "L"-shaped couch with Chocolate. She's half-sitting in the corner, resting her back against a couple of pillows and a cushion. Her legs are folded up, with her feet resting on the couch. Chocolate is lying with his head on her thigh and against her baby bump. Ashley is sitting on the couch by Hanna's feet.

Ashley "You should have told me what was going on sooner, Hanna. I would have been there for you, and I could have given you and Caleb a hand. You two were on your own."

Hanna "We had friends in the city who could have helped us if we needed, mom. It was my decision to be there only with Caleb. And I didn't want to worry you... I was going to call you if it turned out Hallie was going to be born there, but we were lucky, and she's still in here." She smiles slightly while rubbing her baby bump with one of her hands, as she keeps stroking Chocolate's fur with the other.

Ashley "I understand, sweetheart. I'm just relieved everything turned out okay. Just promise me you'll let me help next time, alright?"

Hanna "I promise. The next time I'm admitted to a clinic, it will be to finally meet this little one." She says, shifting her eyes from Ashley to her baby bump for a moment. "And I definitely want you there, mom." She adds, looking back at her mom.

Ashley smiles at her.

Caleb "You've got some more visitors, babe." He says, showing up over there followed by Emily and Spencer.

Spencer "Hey there!"

Emily "Han! How are you?" She says, rushing to Hanna and pulling her into a hug.

Hanna "Hey, guys!" She says, hugging Emily back.

Spencer "Hi, Ashley! Long time no see." She greets Ashley with a smile.

Ashley smiles at her. "Hi, girls!" She greets both Spencer and Emily.

Emily "Hi, Ashley!" She greets back, while pulling away from Hanna and sitting down by the edge of the couch, next to Chocolate.

Ashley "Congratulations on your baby, Spence. He's adorable."

Spencer "Thanks!" She grins.

Ashley "Well, I'll get going now." She says, standing up from the couch. "I'll come to see you tomorrow, honey. Please, call me if you need anything. I mean it." She says seriously, staring directly at Hanna.