It wasn't at first sight

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.