To Protect Each Other ~ A Haleb Story

The Punch

The doorbell rang. Hanna looked up at Caleb with the biggest eyes he'd ever seen. They were sat on the sofa, cuddling.

"Han, he probably just thinks I'm here as a friend to check on you." He reassured her.

"Yeah, but your not." She replied sarcastically.

"I know that." He chuckled, slightly. He loved how predictable she was. He knew she would have replied in that way. "Go answer it. I'll wait here." He pressed a soft kiss on her forehead as she walked over to door, breathing heavily.

"Hey." He said, plainly.

"Hi, dad." This was so awkward already. "Come in." She saved herself. He walked through the door and gave her a big hug.

"I missed you, sweetie." He finally said.

"Yeah, I missed you, too..." She lied.

"Would you like a drink, something to eat?" Hanna asked, guiding her suddenly so interested father to the kitchen.

"Yeah, thanks Hun." He followed her but came to a complete stop as he spotted Caleb brewing a coffee. "Um... Caleb.. you can leave now. I appreciate you coming to check on Hanna but I've got this now." He said sternly. Caleb looked at Hanna.

"It's fine, Caleb. You can go." She shot him a small smile before he left out the patio door. Glaring at Tom, he did what Hanna said.

"What was he doing here?" Tom started to raise his voice.

"Dad I know you find it hard to believe but... Caleb really does take care of me. He loves me more than anything and I feel the exact same way about him." Hanna pleaded.

"He will bring nothing but trouble to this family and will leave you as soon as something bad hits." He yelled.

"Where have you been, huh? Living the dream with your gorgeous wife and perfect new daughter? And where's Caleb been? Not stopping for a second to find me and guess what... he did! Not you. Him. I am absolutely sick of you talking shit about him when he is one hundred times the man you'll ever be." Hanna screamed.

"I don't think I could ever be more disappointed in you, Hanna. And yes, Kate is perfect. She does well in school, does extra curricular activities that don't involve being a slut." He trailed off. "Oh, and she actually puts an effort into her life instead of overreacting about about a few anonymous texts." Hanna seriously could not reply after that last point. She felt her hands starting to shake and her eyes tearing up. She gulped as she turned to see Caleb burst through the door.

"I though I asked you to leave." Tom shouted.

"As if on earth I'd leave her with you." He looked Tom up and down after hearing every word. Hanna had totally zoned out by now and was balling her eyes out.

"Get out! Now!" Caleb tried to keep calm, sensing how distraught Hanna was. He knew anymore shouting would make it worse for her.

"This is my house, remember? Just because I don't live in it doesn't mean-"

"No, Mr Marin. Just because your name is on Hanna's birth certificate doesn't mean you can talk to her like that!" Caleb was seriously struggling to keep his voice down for Hannas sake.

"Like you can talk! Using my daughter for sex and money because your shit family can't give it to you themselves." Tom fought back. Even Caleb was speechless. His family was and always had been a touchy subject for him. Hanna finally became aware of what was happening.

"My family has nothing to do with you. Besides, this is about Hanna. I am not gonna let you make her cry anymore than already have. If you seriously gave a shit about Hanna then you would have turned up at my doorstep like all of the other girls parents and not stop looking for her! Do you have any idea what she's been through?" He glanced at Hanna who was now bright red and her face was soaking wet. It broke his heart to see her like that but he needed to do this so it wouldn't happen again. "I love Hanna more than anything and I think I've proven that more than you have recently."

Hanna saw how angry her dad was getting and she was about to push Caleb away but she was too late. Tom threw a hard punch at Calebs face, leaving him an almost black eye. Hanna knew exactly what Caleb was going to do back so she stepped in front of him. Holding his arm and looking straight into his eyes. "Don't, please." She whispered so only he could hear. Caleb did what she said and by the time Hanna turned around he was already out the door.

"Let me get you some ice." She sighed. Still balling her eyes out.

"Han, come here."

"No Caleb your bleeding let me help you." She walked back over to Caleb but he took the bag of ice and first aid kit out of Hanna's hand and setting down on the counter.

"Hanna, he won't come back, I promise." He said, softly.

"You don't know that." She cried.

"Yes, I do. Hanna I won't let him hurt or touch you. Not again." He lifted her chin and wiped away all her tears and pulled her in for a tight hug. "I love you, Han." He said.

"I love you, too." She cried.