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.

38; Your Choices Define

Thanksgiving was upon them, tonight, Hanson would have all his friends over and announce his retirement from the military back in October, and also, he would be asking Aubree to be his girlfriend. Caleb and Hazel were excited, they knew what their father had planned, but they didn't know about the retirement yet, Hanson figured it would be a nice surprise for them. Steven knew everything, though. Hanson took it upon himself to handle cooking the entire Thanksgiving dinner, as well cleaning the whole house. Everyone would be arriving around 4:30 pm for dinner at 5 pm, tonight was going to be amazing, Hanson could feel it in his bones. All he prayed for was that nothing went wrong, the last time he thought his life was perfect, Caylee was taken away from him, and Hanson never wanted to feel that pain again.

Hanson was cooking a turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, homemade bread, gravy, and a decent assortment of pies; apple, pumpkin, banana crème. It was going to be a good spread of food and enough turkey to make sandwiches until Christmas time. The house had been cleaned spotless. Hanson handled the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and his room. Caleb, Hazel, and Steven had to clean theirs. Hanson did all the laundry and dishes as he used them to cut back on the amount of work later on. Hanson also set up the big table to hold everyone which would include Thatcher, Ella, Ricky, Vincent, Nikki, Aubree, Sawyer, Grant, Heather, Dustin, Raelyn, Taylor, Franklin, Eli, and Sylvia. Of course, Hazel, Caleb, Steven, and Hanson would be there too, so it was going to be a big group, but there was no better way to spend the holiday than to have all family and friends there.

The time was 4:15 pm and people had begun to arrive, Aubree being one of the firsts. Following her was everyone else by 4:45 pm. Hanson got everything set up on a folding table against the wall in the dining room as everyone moved to the table.

"Thank you for inviting us, Hanson," Heather said lightly.

"We're all close friends now, making up the Alpha Wing squadron," Sawyer remarked with a smile. "Speaking of which, Hanson, why weren't you at drill for the beginning of November?"

Aubree glanced towards Hanson; he hadn't gone to drill weekend? Why was she just finding out now? "Yeah, we missed you. Major Belmore led everything, those five," Sylvia pointed to Thatcher, Vincent, Nikki, Ella, and Ricky, "said you were too busy,"

"I'll explain everything once you sit down. I have something I want everyone to hear," Hanson told them as they looked at one another but took a seat regardless, then looked back at him. "You won't be seeing me at Fort Riddari anymore," he stated as they gasped in shock. "I'm no longer the base leader, Major Belmore is,"

"What? Are you...being transferred?" Dustin asked quickly.

Hanson shook his head, "No. Some of you may remember that I joined the military twelve years ago in October 2008 at fourteen years old after bonding with Toothless. This past October, I did not resign my contract for service when offered,"

Now their eyes widened, except for six peoples. "Wait, what do you mean, Hanson?" Aubree questioned.

"After the sixth tour ended, I did a lot of thinking over five months. When October hit, and I was asked about resigning, I declined the offer. I did not resign my contract for military service. I have been retired since October 1st," Hanson informed.

"Daddy, you quit the military?" Hazel asked in surprise.

"Yes I did," Hanson nodded to her.

"B-But why? You loved it there?" Aubree mentioned.

"True. I do love the military, and I had enjoyed my time there even when some of those times weren't so great. Being twenty-six now, almost twenty-seven in February. I just want an average life, working five days a week, eight or so hours a day. I want to be home to get my kids off the bus. I want to spend the weekends with them. I want to be more active in their lives, and I can't do that with the military, so I did not resign my service contract," Hanson explained.

"Wow, so you're like, done-done then?" Sylvia blinked.

"That is correct. My Dad and five others knew of the choice I made. I've kept it a secret to tell everyone at the same time," Hanson replied to her.

"S-So we will get to see you more?" Hazel asked looking as if she were about to cry.

"That's right princess. Daddy will be around a lot more now," Hanson smiled, Caleb and Hazel got up from their seats and hugged him tightly. Aubree couldn't believe it, Hanson was out of the military by choice. Given a choice to resign or give it up, he gave it up for his children. In a way, it made her feel better to know he was out of such a dangerous lifestyle. Since her leaving, Aubree feared him being killed on tour and she didn't know if she could handle something like that happening to the man she loved with all her heart.

Hanson released from the hug with his children and looked at Aubree with a smile, "I'm proud of you son, your mother would be too," Steven told him. This time of year was always hard for him and his father because they lost Hanson's mom and Steven's wife right after Thanksgiving all those years ago.

"Thanks, Dad. I do have one more thing I have to do before we eat," Hanson stated as everyone looked at him curiously, Hazel and Caleb grinned after Hanson nodded to them. The two children hurried over to Aubree as she pulled her to her feet and brought her over towards their father. "There is something I want you to hear, so you know that when I disappeared in 2008 I never forgot about you, and I hope you'll remember it for the rest of your life if we're ever apart,"

Aubree's eyes widened a bit, but she nodded to him as Caleb started the CD player and turned it up. "All right," Aubree said to him.

"I wrote this for you the night before I left for Basic Training," Hanson told her as Aubree blushed a little. "If you want to know..." he began as Aubree stood there to listen to him. "Tomorrow morning I have to leave. But wherever I may be, best believe I'm thinking of you. I can't believe how much I love you. All we have is here tonight. We don't want to waste this time. Give me something to remember, Baby, put your lips on mine," he sang as Aubree's blush intensified. "And I'll love you forever. Any time that we find ourselves apart..." he paused while the music picked up.

"Just close your eyes, and you'll be here with me. Just look to your heart, and that's where I'll be. If you just close your eyes, till you're drifting away. You'll never be too far from me. If you close your eyes..." Hanson took a breath as Aubree honestly felt like she was going cry listening to this song that Hanson had written for her before he left for Basic.

"I know I'm gonna see you again. But promise me that you won't forget, 'cause as long as you remember. A part of us will be together. So even when you're fast asleep, look for me inside your dreams. Keep believing in what we're sharing, and even when I'm not there to tell you," another pause as Hanson saw the tears glistening in her eyes.

"I'll, I'll love, love you forever. Any time that I can't be where you are," he sang out as the girls around the table watched in adoration. "Just close your eyes, and you'll be here with me. Just look to your heart, and that's where I'll be. If you just close your eyes, till you're drifting away. You'll never be too far from me. If you close your eyes..."

"Is there anywhere that far? Any time you're feeling low, is there anywhere that love cannot reach? Oh no! It could be anywhere on earth. It could be anywhere I'll be. Oh, baby if you want to see..." Hanson took her hand in his and brought her close to him, staring into her eyes. "Just close your eyes, and you'll be here with me. Look to your heart, and that's where you'll be. Just close your eyes till you're drifting away. You'll never be too far from me..." Hanson finished as he leaned in close to her with a gentle smile on his lips. "Aubree, I love you and I always will. My children are not the only reason I didn't resign my contract; you are too."

"M-Me?" Aubree asked in shock.

"Yes, you. Not only do I want more time with my children, but you as well. I want a life with you, Aubree. I want to be with you if you'll still have me. I never stopped thinking about you when I left for training; you were always on my mind and in my heart. Caylee knew that and didn't mind. I walked away from you once, and I won't miss the chance again. Will you be my girlfriend?" Hanson asked.

Aubree let those unshed tears fall from her blue eyes as she nodded to him with a smile. "I will, Hanson," she replied as Hanson closed the gap between them by pressing his lips to hers in a soft but deep kiss. The room burst into applause for the new couple! After a moment, the kiss broke as he hugged her tightly. "I love you,"

"I love you too," Hanson replied, "And now, it's time for us to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner before it gets cold!" he announced as everyone cheered in agreement while getting up to get a plate of food. This night had been perfect. There was so much that happened to lead up to the moment where Hanson ended up with the girl he fell in love with all those years ago and thought he lost his chance when he joined the military and yet, that same choice to join brought him, Aubree, again when she joined. Hanson went through so much to get where he was now, a father of two, and boyfriend to his first crush.

While sitting down to dinner, he looked around at the smiling faces of his friends, family, and girlfriend. What could make this better? Everyone he cared about in one place, everyone safe and together. In this moment of time, Hanson realized that all his choices got him where he was tonight. The choices that would lead him to his future. Hanson now understood that he didn't before. Your choices defined your future, and all of Hanson's decisions gave him real happiness.

~Author's Note; All right my friends and fans, this ends Choices Define. A story where Hanson finally understands that his choices defined his future and brought him happiness. I hope everyone enjoyed this and now I will be working on the newest story; Moving Forward, a modern Hiccup and Elsa pairing! Thank you for the continued support everyone! -Nightstar Fury.