Choices Define

Rated: M

Pairing: Hanson/Aubree

Author: Nightstar Fury

Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD movies, shorts, or series. Also, don't own any songs I might use. Everything belongs to its original creator.

20; Court Pt. 1

The day had come for the custody hearing. Hanson was nervous, and everyone knew it, today he had to fight to get back his son who never should have been taken in the first place. What was worse for Hanson was that he didn't even know how Caleb was doing. All he knew was Caleb got taken to a temporary foster home until custody was determined. There were only three ways it could go. One; the biological father would win. Two; Hanson would win. Or three; Caleb would be put into the system as an orphan until adopted and if that at all. Caleb would never forgive Hanson if he became an orphan and unadopted. Hanson had to win; it was imperative that he did. Steven had taken the next two weeks off and hoped that it wouldn't take longer than that to determine custody of Caleb Hiccup Bog, Caylee Hope Bog's only son.

Hanson and Finn Hofferson had been working all weekend of strategy and when to pull out certain things that would work in Hanson's favor to gain custody. Also, Hanson had been informed that Caleb wouldn't be at the hearings and Hanson didn't mind that because it would be too hard for Caleb and Hanson to be in the same room and know Caleb couldn't go home with Hanson after each hearing. Aubree, Grant, Heather, Eli, Dustin, Sawyer, Franklin, Raelyn, Taylor, Sylvia, Thatcher, Ella, Ricky, and Vincent were all at the courthouse waiting for Hanson and Steven to arrive there since the hearing would begin in twenty minutes. Finn was already there inside getting things ready to add Hanson to the list of possible guardians to take full custody.

Hazel was in school, the courtroom wasn't a place for her. Hanson had told her before she left for school that it would take some time before Caleb got to come home so not to freak out if she came back and Caleb wasn't there. Hazel understood but it still wasn't easy, she had been sleeping in Caleb's room since the Friday he got taken. Hanson didn't mind; it kept her from screaming in a fit of tears every night. What else could he do? Hanson would win, he had to.

(Court House; 10 am)

Steven's car pulled into a spot as he parked it then turned the ignition to off. Steven turned slightly to see Hanson's nervous face; the father put a hand on Hanson's shoulder which made Hanson look over worried. "Don't worry; we'll win. The best interest of Caleb in ever sense if for him to be with you son,"

"I hope the judge sees it that way," Hanson took a deep breath as he unbuckled and stepped out of the car, then Steven did the same as they made their way over to Hanson's friends who were waiting just inside past the metal and weapon detectors.

"It's getting ready to start, Hanson. Are you ready?" Finn asked as he exited the courtroom they would be in for the next hour or so.

"I've been ready," Hanson replied firmly with a nod as he walked beside Finn and then entered the room with Steven and his friends following right behind. The friends and Steven took their seats on the opposite side where the biological father sat with his lawyer; the man shot Hanson a dirty look but also a smirk. Hanson wouldn't fall for it; the guy was trying to get under his skin. Hanson would beat him another way, by taking sole custody of Caleb. Hanson and Finn took their seats at the table and waited for it to begin. Hanson was nervous, but he would win, there was no way a judge in their right mind would award custody to a man recently out of prison over the man who had everything to take care of a child and had been the last nine years.

The officer by the door stood, "All rise for the honorable Judge Sonya Bennet," Everyone stood silently and respectfully as the female judge walked in quietly and took her place at the stand.

"Be seated," Sonya stated as everyone sat down. "I understand we are here to determine the placement of the minor child, Caleb Hiccup Bog. I would like to figure out why this case is necessary. The mother passed away, the child goes to the next living relative, and that would be his biological father," she added looking over the file before her briefly.

"If I may explain your honor?" Finn asked coming to his feet now, and Sonya motioned for him to continue. "The biological father was imprisoned and only recently got out. The mother was in a seven-year relationship with my client, living with him and so was the minor child in question since the mother and my client were sixteen years old. My client and the mother were engaged to be married, and an adoption was in the process to follow that marriage. My client has been a primary caregiver to the child since the year 2010 and is here to fight for custody of the child he has accepted as his son,"

"I see. With this understanding, I will allow him to remain a candidate for custody of the child. Now, let us continue. Both lawyers will introduce their custody petitioners," Sonya insisted.

The lawyer of the biological father stood and so did the man beside him, "Your honor, I am Eileen Davis representing the biological father, Ian Cruz," the female lawyer stated.

"And I am Finn Hofferson, representing Hanson Haddock," Finn said afterward while standing with Hanson.

"Very good. Now, I'd like to hear from both petitioners why they want custody of the minor. Mr. Cruz, as you are the biological father, I will allow you to go first," Sonya motioned to him.

"Your honor, I loved Caylee with all my heart and I don't understand why she left me but she never allowed me to see my son. I only want the time that was taken from me as she allowed another man to be his father while I served time for a crime I was wrongfully accused of," Ian responded calmly. Hanson clenched his fist, was this asshole really pulling that card right out the gate!? Good. Hanson could play that game too.

"Understandable. Mr. Haddock, why do you feel you deserve custody of the minor child?" Sonya asked.

Hanson stood up now, "Because your honor, I have been in that child's life since he was three months old when I met his mother after joining the military. Even before my late fiance and I began dating, I loved the child and still do. I've always taken care of him as my own from babysitting to providing shelter for his mother and him when they lost their place to live in 2010. Not to mention, Caylee and I have a daughter who is the minor child's half sibling and the two are closer. I don't want to separate them," Hanson explained.

"I see. I have history of Mr. Cruz but not you, Mr. Haddock. Can you give me a little insight on your life from when you met the minor's mother until her death?" Sonya asked, "Anything pertaining to you, Miss. Bog, and the child," she specified.

"I met Caylee Bog when I was fifteen years old at Fort Riddari military base when she was transferred from Visithug. During family day for our dragon training graduation, I got to meet Caylee's grandmother and son. Caylee had told me she lost her parents at the age of twelve, and her grandmother had legal guardianship over her since. Caylee told me she got pregnant after being raped at fourteen by her ex-boyfriend Ian Cruz, and that is why she had Caleb so young. Regardless, it didn't bother me. For a year from May 2009 to may 2010, we were deployed to Syria. A month after returning to Berk, her grandmother passed away and Caylee no longer had a place to go with her son so I spoke with my father and it was offered that Caylee and her son were welcome to move in with us," Hanson began.

"And you were...sixteen at this time?" Sonya inquired.

Hanson gave a nod, "Yes ma'am. My father and I have a four bedroom hours ten minutes from the Fort Riddari base so there was plenty of room and everyone was able to have their own. Caylee moved in and we started a relationship in August 2010," he continued.

"Now, how many tours have you been on, Mr. Haddock?" Sonya asked next.

"Five, your honor. And each tour, Caleb was cared for by my father and daycare until he began going to Kindergarten. Caylee and I both called home on Skype every night and every morning. We left money for my Dad to use for anything Caleb needed while we were away and spent all our time on tour leave with him up until we had our daughter in 2012, that is when Caylee told Caleb he could start calling me his father so he wouldn't feel left out with the new baby. Caylee and I turned her room into the nursery, she moved into the master room with me and my Dad too my room. We made time between our job and tours to always to see our kids and spend time with them," Hanson explained.

The others were a bit shocked, so this biological father Ian had raped Caylee and that's what he went to prison for?! It was news to even Ella, Thatcher, Ricky, and Vincent. Only Hanson had known about that but never said anything at Caylee's request. It mattered now for Hanson to get Caleb back like Caylee would have wanted.

"And that was everything?" Sonya looked to him.

"Well, no. Caylee and I got engaged just seven months ago and then she was killed in a robbery and then my son got taken from my arms and here we are," Hanson remarked.

"I'm sure you can understand why he was taken. You and your fiance weren't married and no adoption was finalized, this meant you couldn't keep him." Sonya replied.

"Caylee wants me to have him, she told me that many times. And now I've got a six year old little girl who screams every night for her brother to be home," Hanson answered. "I have always taken care of Caleb, your honor. Clothes, food, shelter, toys, you name it and I provided it," he added.

"I understand that but it doesn't not mean you get to keep him just because she said so. Child services took him because there is no will saying what should happen to the child in the event of her death, now unless you have her will, I have to determine the best interest of this child," Sonya informed.

"Your honor, this shouldn't even be a hearing as you said. The biological father wants his son and can care for him," said Eileen now.

"I see that but your client was sentenced to ten years in prison for raping the minor child's mother. I don't feel this would be a safe enviroment for the child to live in. There is evidence to prove the rape, DNA evidence of his semen in her and the timeline of rape matches up with the pregnancy Miss. Bog endured. There was no wrongful accusations or inprisonment." Sonya said firmly.

"Then why is this a hearing, your honor. Mr. Haddock has taken care of the child all his life, has a stable job and home in which to care for Caleb. Plus there is also the younger sister to consider as well," Finn jumped in now.

"Regardless. According to the file I have of Mr. Haddock now, his military record isn't clean either. Sexual relations between an officer and enlisted member, breaking flight rules, not following all protocols. I'm not sure either should have custody," Sonya remarked as Hanson was beginning to feel his hope splinter. No, he had to get custody.

"Every one one of those charges was dismissed. Mr. Haddock and Miss. Bod were not penalized for their relationship outside of work and off the base. Breaking flight rules and not following protocols was due to having to save his teammates, you will also notice in that file that Mr. Haddock has also graduated top of his training, promoted several times, has many awards and decorations, and is the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, leader of the Fort Riddari military base. All that plus he has time for his children, both of them." Finn argued.

"I do see that, Mr. Hofferson, but I am still not conviced that Mr. Haddock should be awarded custody simply because of his career achievements. And as I said, Miss. Bog clearly has no will to state her intentions for the child's placement," Sonya insisted. "We are going to dismiss for the day while I got over the newly added information to the case. We will continue this on Thursday at 11:15 am. Dismissed." Sonya added as she gathered the folders and left the stand as people began to stand and get ready to leave.

Hanson left the room without a word, he couldn't believe this shit. His minor infractions that were dismissed were becoming a factor in deciding custody. This could fuck everything up for him, and all he could do was pray it worked out. One thing Hanson had to absolutely do was contact whoever he could from the military records to find out what Caylee set up for if she died and they weren't married with Caleb adopted. Hanson needed to get out of the court room and court house, he needed fresh air and to start making phone calls before Thursday's hearing where they would continue to go over all this. Hanson just wanted his son back, he wasn't giving up no matter what.