When You Least Expect It

by Haley Cass

“Who wouldn’t fall for Hannah, at least a little?” She asks the universe.

She didn’t mean to fall in love with Hannah at all. But here she is, curled up with a family that isn’t quite hers, and she’s never wanted anything more. So. Fucked.

“If I could have my daughter look up to anyone in our lives, I would choose you.” She blinks down at Caroline, the most earnest look in her eyes. “And you aren’t allowed to brush this off.”

“You’re strong and smart and gorgeous and good,” Hannah expounds, tapping her finger against Caroline with every word she says to make her point.

“You’re kind of my hero, too,” Hannah finishes, her voice barely above a whisper as she confides that bit of information to Caroline.

“I don’t have a type,” she dodges. It’s not untrue; it’s not like she has a checklist. “But yeah, kids are a plus. Duh.”

“I love that you always put Abbie first. I love that you are probably the strongest person I’ve ever met.

I love how persistent you are, how stubborn, how determined – and I love that all of those words somehow feel different when I use them to describe you.

“I want you and Abbie, every day. I want everything with you and that’s… a lot. I know,”

“I’m not asking for everything right now. I’m not asking for you to… to love me, to take a leap with me. I only want that when you’re ready. I’m just asking to know that you are really in this.”

You’ve dominated my mind for… a lot longer than I even knew. I just knew I was so caught by your face. I always have been,”

“I just didn’t realize until I looked back that I didn’t draw you just like I drew other people. Like a building. I drew you… like I would draw a queen. Like I’m in love with you.”

And I want to take the leap with you, Caroline. Sometimes I might not be able to find the right words, but I feel them.”

Abbie squeals, the sound of excited triumph. “I did it!” Hannah’s lips curve into a smile on her own and Caroline feels it resonate through her entire body.

Caroline might believe in Christmas magic. Just a bit.