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.
37; Perfect Plan
Five months flew right and it was now October in the year 2020, for a few of the friends, their military careers were over. Grant, Eli, and Franklin did not resign their service contracts in June and Aubree had the medical discharge back in May. Dustin, Sawyer, Heather, and Sylvia were still in, they resigned another two years for active duty. Hanson was still fighting with himself to remain in or not, though, he only had one week left to make his choice and a time constraint wasn't needed. Hanson had spoken to his father about it a few times and that didn't help at all, Steven told him to do what he wanted and the family would support his decisions fully. Hanson was sure Caleb and Hazel would love to hear their father would be home more often. Hanson did feel he should be there more, the children were only getting older and would need him around for their problems, homework, and more.
Hanson also felt he would enjoy a less busy schedule. Working from 6 am to 6 pm was tiresome, perhaps he could find a job working 7 am to 3 or 4 pm? That would work nicely, or even 6 am to 3 pm when the children got off the school bus then they would have the rest of the night together, also the weekends to do fun things. The more Hanson thought about getting time with his kids the more he felt like not resigning his contract was a good idea. Also, Hanson would have time with Aubree and that thought made him smile. On that, Aubree was doing a lot better now that she was seeing a psychiatrist to treat her PTSD. From what Hanson understood, Aubree was seen twice a week for an hour session each, and she was taking anti-depressants to up her mood, plus a mild sleeping pill for nights.
Hanson helped her out financially to be seen, after a month of it, Aubree found a job working as a cashier for a nearby grocery store and trying to find something else in photography since she did love to take pictures of amazing moments. Aubree was taking care of her finances now, and Hanson noticed that it made her a lot happier to say she could do it herself and he was proud of her, every day he loved her a little more. Hanson still wanted to ask her out but had yet to speak with his kids on the situation, Hanson wanted Aubree to have time to conquer her PTSD, and now she was doing a lot better with it. Aubree was happier and that pleased Hanson to know.
Every day Hanson sat at work after his kids got on the bus and each day, he found it a little annoying to be there all the time. Monday through Sunday, the workload was managed quickly, but Hanson was still required on base to oversee other training groups, be in meetings, answer calls, etc. Not to mention, he would come home exhausted. Hanson's day consisted of preparing the kids for school, taking a shower, going to work, coming home for dinner, tucking the kids in with a story, then take another shower before laying in his bed and falling asleep by 10 pm. Not an exciting life in his eyes, he did love being a soldier but he wanted his family more now that he was older being twenty-six years.
Currently, Hanson was at work still thinking on his choice as he had another hour before he could go home. A knock on the door brought him from his thoughts, and he looked up, "Come in," Hanson stated. The door opened to reveal Thatcher, Vincent, Ricky, Ella, and Nikki, "What can I do for you five?"
"You didn't join us for lunch, so we came to check on you," Nikki mentioned.
"I'm fine, just working as usual," Hanson replied while sitting back in hair brown leather chair with a pen in his hands.
"It's more than that, Hanson. We know you better," Ricky stated softly. Hanson sighed heavily; he couldn't lie to his friends, so he closed his eyes, "Talk to us,"
"I'm not resigning my contract next week," Hanson admitted as they gasped.
"Wait, what?!" they all shouted in shock.
"I wasn't speaking Norse, guys. Next week when contract resigning starts, I'm not staying in," Hanson told them calmly.
"But why?" Ella inquired
"You love the military and being with us," Thatcher reminded.
"Yes, I do. But I don't like the twelve hours a day, seven days a week. I don't like that I barely get time with my children who are eleven and eight years old. I don't like my requested time off is only approved if it's for the anniversaries of Caylee's and my Mom's deaths," Hanson informed looking at them. "I've been in twelve years next week, and when I joined initially, I knew what I wanted. Things have changed since then, I'm ready to retire early, and enjoy the rest of my life with my children...and Aubree,"
"You've fallen in love with her, haven't you?" Nikki smiled softly.
"I've always cared about Aubree, then things happened so fast, and I felt like I'd never get to be with her. I met Caylee, and Caleb then had Hazel. I was going to marry Caylee, and then more things changed. I told myself that if Caylee and I were meant to be, then she would still be here, she wouldn't have been killed that day. Cay wants me to move on and be happy, Aubree is the one who makes me happy, I want to be with her, and I want a normal life with her and the children," Hanson explained.
"We understand, Hanson. Gonna suck to see you go, you sure it's what you want to do?" Vincent asked.
"Yeah, I've...been thinking about since the tour ended. Weighing the ups and downs of it, I have money in the retirement fund to live comfortably for a while. I can find another job to do, work suitable hours that would allow me time to be a father and date Aubree," Hanson smiled.
"We'll still see you, right?" Ricky inquired.
"Just because I retire doesn't mean I stop being your friend. We'll always have one another," Hanson replied.
"Good. I take it Gobber will take over Fort Riddari?" Thatcher asked.
"Probably, not sure," Hanson shrugged.
"So, when are you asking Aubree out?" Ella grinned with amusement as Hanson chuckled and glanced off to the side.
"Soon. I want to talk to Caleb and Hazel first. I'm sure they wouldn't mind but you know, just want to make sure," Hanson replied to them with a smile. Yes. Hanson made his choice for sure today, he was going to retire from the military to have more time with Caleb and Hazel and be with the woman he loved, Aubree.
(A Month Later)
Hanson had done it, he entered that office with his five friends and when asked how many years he was resigning for, Hanson told them he wasn't. Shocked and surprised, they heard Hanson out when he explained that it was time for him to step back and live a normal life with his children. Hanson thanked them for all he did and provided his life; skills beyond the eyes could see, strength, courage, confidence, and the chance to serve his home, to protect the people he loves but now it was time for him to be with those people and cherish the lives he fought to protect. Understanding, Hanson's resignation was accepted and he walked out after turning in his required gear as a veteran soldier and he held his high, sure and proud of his choice.
However, Hanson wasn't revealing it yet. Everyone was coming over for Thanksgiving, and when they inevitably asked why they didn't see Hanson at drill weekend, he would announce that he didn't resign his contract and retired from the military. It would shock everyone to know he did it but he didn't care, Hanson had other wants, and the army would unfortunately only get in the way if he stayed there. Before all that, Hanson needed to talk to his children so today, that is exactly what he was going to do.
"What are we going to do today, Daddy?" Hazel asked him gently. Hanson smiled softly; today was the perfect day to talk to them. All his friends were too busy to hang out, Aubree had work and a psychiatry appointment to follow that.
"Well, first, Daddy wants to talk to both of you and then after we're going to go to the indoor theme park for a few hours," Hanson said as he had them sit on the couch while he sat on the table in front of them.
"What's going on, Dad. Last time you sat us down was two years ago when Mom passed away," Caleb frowned.
"I promise no one passed away this time," Hanson assured with a smile. "I wanted to talk to you about Aubree and me," he began.
"That girl who has blond hair and blue eyes who comes over sometimes?" Hazel inquired.
Hanson nodded, "Yes, that's her. Aubree is a very old and good friend of mine, I have known her since second grade. Before I loved your mother, I loved Aubree, and she loved me too, but we were both too shy and scared to say anything. When I joined the military, I felt Aubree would never forgive my choice to join so I pushed my feelings for her back, then met your Mom, and now I have you two. But, your Mom is no longer with us, and you remember I told you that she would want us to keep living our lives and be happy?"
"Daddy, does Aubree make you happy?" Hazel tilted her head to the side, Hanson forgot how bright his children were.
"Yes. Yes, she does kids," Hanson replied.
"Do you love her?" Caleb questioned next.
"I very much do, son," Hanson answered with a nod.
"Do you want to be with Aubree, Daddy?" Hazel looked at him gently.
"I do want to be with her, but I also want both of you to be okay with me being with her," Hanson revealed softly looking at both of them.
"Dad, we want you to happy and if Aubree makes you happy then be with her. We don't mind, we know losing Mom hurt you a lot but Aubree takes away that pain and makes you smile again, she brought back your light, so we want you to be with her and stay happy. As long as she doesn't hurt you, we're all right with her being around," Caleb informed his father.
"You don't mind? I don't want you thinking I'm replacing your mother, and Aubree knows that too-" Hanson began.
"Daddy. We know you love Mommy and always will. But like you said, Mom wants all to be happy. Caleb and I are happy as long as you are," Hazel smiled now as she put her hand on Hanson's.
"I'm truly blessed to have you two in my life," Hanson said as he opened his arms and hugged both of them tightly.
"So," Caleb began with a grin that matched his little sisters.
"When are you asking her out?" Hazel finished.
"Soon, the moment has to be just right, but you and all our friends will be there when I do it," Hanson answered. As he expected, his children mind him dating someone else as long as he was happy, they were too. Now Hanson had to make things official and ask Aubree to be his girlfriend. And Hanson had the perfect plan to do just that.