It wasn't at first sight

Chapter 78

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

/

A few days later.

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