Through The Ups & Downs

Couple; Harrison X Briana

Rating; Mature

Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD or any songs I might use! In addition, from this point in the story and in future chapters, I do not own the character Ella (Eira) Solveig. She belongs to a good friend, ShadowSpirit020.

35) Personal Caretaker

{Harrison's POV}

I didn't remember much after going to the OR with Emmett. I know I had to change into a pair of hospital clothes and lay flat on my back to start. The nurse had me put a mask over my face and start counting back from ten, but by four, everything went black. The next time I woke up, the time was about 1:20 pm, meaning I'd been knocked out from the anesthetic since 9:10 am. That was the last time I saw before I went unconscious. Upon waking up, I was silent and caught sight of the clock, but did not make anyone aware I was awake because at that time, I heard Emmett come in and start explaining about how the transplant went. All I cared about was that Nate was getting what he needed to survive and I had been the one to provide it. I guessed that I should make my family and friends aware that I am awake; yet, I was still somewhat tired so maybe I take the time to stay asleep. However, I remembered that my Dad asked Emmett right away about why I wasn't up yet. I supposed I should let them know I'm at least okay, then tell them I'm still exhausted.

I shifted a little and groaned at the bright lights in the room, I heard my family and friends make their way closer to me. Somehow, I had an unrelenting feeling they were going to make a big deal out of me waking up.

"Harrison?" I heard my mother ask gently as I blinked a few times trying to focus. I couldn't make out the faces of everyone around me. I knew their voices, but I couldn't distinguish who was who or where they were except my mother, I knew she was on my left because she was holding my hand. I shut my eyes tightly and brought my hands to my head.

"Baby? What's wrong?" Viviana asked quickly wondering why I was reacting this way. Being surrounded by people that I couldn't make out clearly wasn't a fond memory of mine. It happened when I was deployed for two months on operations. Something happened and I ended up knocked out for a few minutes, when I woke up, I was surrounded. The team I was working with got me out and I was safe. However, this only happened three weeks ago and I was still adjusting to being out of those situations. I made out the sounds of my monitors speeding up and the door opening.

"Come now, give the lad some space to wake up. Waking up from anesthesia can make the person groggy," I heard Glenn's voice. Why was he here? Had Wright told him I was doing the transplant for Nate? I saw the blurred figures start stepping back but I ended up closing my eyes. "It's alright, Harrison. Just family and friends around ya," Glenn assured me. I lowered my hands and started opening my eyes, letting my vision begin to focus. After blinking a few times, I was able to see everyone around me, well, with some distance between them and my bed. My parents, Trevor, Hailey, and Dexter on my left. TJ, Regina, Frankie and Glenn on my right. Syrus, Chelsea, Addilyn, and Olivia at the foot of the bed.

"Dude, you good?" TJ asked first.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, weird to wake up after anesthetic and see blurred faces," I admitted, though, it was not the whole truth. I saw Glenn looking at me curiously, I shot him a look that said I would explain later and he gave curt nod without letting anyone else know or think something was wrong. It was just a few bad memories, I was alright or would be after I had some time to rest. I did just return to the US five days ago after those missions in Afghanistan, I had not had a lot of time to relax. When I got the call from Nate, I'd been at Fort Benning for three days. The overnight flight to Arc Isle put me at four days, and now with this day, it made five. I guessed with me healing from the procedure, I could get the time I needed to readjust to what was considered normal life.

"How do you feel?" Trevor inquired.

"Still tired," I yawned. "How's Nate?"

"He was sleeping the last we checked on him. Dr. Eretson said that it would take about a week for the transplant to get in his system and start doing what it has to do, and by then we should have some numbers on his white count," Spencer informed gently.

"But, a nurse said that Nate is already looking a lot better than he did this morning. You…saved his life, Harrison. Thank you," Viviana choked up a bit.

"Mom, stop the waterworks okay? Nate is my little brother, there isn't anything I wouldn't do for him. For any of you, if it's in my ability to fix, I will." I replied as Viviana wiped her eyes and hugged me. Of course, my mother hit my hip on the left side and I hissed a little.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, son. I forgot you would be sore," my mother said quickly as she backed away.

"No, it's fine. I'll live, hurts less than being shot," I forced a chuckle. Just then, there was a knock and Emmett walked in with a smile.

"There's our patient. Finally awake I see," Emmett stated. "Feeling alright?"

"Little groggy and stiff still, but good otherwise," I told him.

"That will wear off as more of the anesthesia does. We usually give it an hour or so after waking up. After that, as long as you can move without too much pain and eat normally, we'll let ya go," Emmett informed calmly. "Oh, almost forgot. You have another visitor, I wanted to know if it was okay to let them in?" he added.

"Them?" I asked.

"Well, just a girl about your age. A Briana Grayson?" Emmett arched a brow and my eyes widened. Briana was here?! "Mr. Haddock?" he asked curiously. I snapped out of it quickly and nodded to him. "I can let her in then?"

"Yes, of course! That's my girlfriend," I stated to him as Emmett smiled and moved to the door to let the woman in. I laid my eyes on her platinum blond hair and smiled seeing her beautiful violet eyes.

"That is so not your color, handsome," Briana greeted as I blinked and looked down seeing myself in the blue hospital gown, I was wearing pants under it though. Briana made her way to the right of my bed and hugged me carefully.

"What are you doing here? I let you know I'd be back in a month after all this blows over," I reminded her.

"Well, I decided that I didn't want to be away from you. And Wright sent me," Briana informed lightly. I arched a brow now. "Have you forgotten so soon that we share ownership of Nightstar's and Toothless's babies? When Wright realized you would be gone for so long, he sent me to join you. Either way, I believe this works out because I'm not letting you get out of our anniversary so easily," she giggled. Oh, yeah! That was right; Briana and I would be celebrating our one-year anniversary on the 7th of August this year. It was hard to believe it had been a year already. I guess I was still loopy from the anesthetic.

"Oh, not to worry. I wouldn't miss that for the world. Of course, now, I'm going to have to re-plan everything," I chuckled.

"Well, I have full confidence that it will be amazing as long as we're together. How is your little brother doing? Mom, Dad, Alex, and Jaz have you both in their prayers," Briana stated.

"Well, transplant went great, but we won't know much regarding how Nate is taking to it for about a week. That's why Major General Wright gave me so much time off, in case Nate needs more bone marrow. I already said I'd give more if needed," I enlightened her.

"And I'll be here for it all. Wright told me I was off for as long as you are since we have to stay together and all," Briana smiled. "I swear, it's like we're gonna be married for the next eight years, unless the babies bond on their own before then," she giggled a bit as the eyes from the onlookers in the room widened in surprise at Briana's choice of words.

"What do you mean it's like we're gonna be married for the next eight years unless the babies bond? You think Nightstar and Toothless are going stop at three. You, Milady, are stuck with me for the rest of our lives. So, the term to be used would be that we are married already minus rings and a marriage license. Of course, that's not hard to make happen," I remarked as Briana's face lit up like a Snoggletog tree.

"Was that your way of asking me to marry you?" Briana countered.

"Not at all, but you never know with me. One of these days, I could pop the question out the blue. I'm just full of surprises like that, Love," I told her with a chuckle. Briana's blush remained but she seemed to accept the answer and leaned in to kiss me, I returned it and smiled at her after she pulled back. "So, uh, where are Nightstar and the kids?" I asked.

"With Toothless in the stables," Briana replied.

"Where are you staying while you're here?" Addilyn asked now.

"I was wondering that myself," I said afterward.

"Well, I didn't want to overstay a welcome at your parent's place again while I'm here, plus with three extra Night Furies, I didn't feel they'd fit in the backyard. So, I got a room at the Draconian Plaza here in the city. It's only a five minute flight to the hospital which is where I assume you'll be spending most of your time until Nate is given the all clear to go home," Briana responded gently while looking at me. "Nothing special. Twin bed, bathroom and shower, closet, dresser, nightstands on either side of the bed, lamps on each, plus a TV," she shrugged.

"What do you know? I have a room there too. I booked one this morning," I informed.

"Harrison, why would you do that? You can stay with us at the house, you know?" Spencer asked.

"Well, Dr. Eretson said I should be close in case of emergencies with Nate last night when I signed the forms. So, on my way here, I grabbed a room for myself for that purpose," I shrugged at him.

"Well, now it will be easier to take care of you. Odin knows you're gonna be sore for a few more days," Briana reminded.

"You know, I'm having an idea, babe. Since Toothless and Nightstar aren't going to want to be apart and spend time together as a family, why don't you…give up your room and stay with me in mine?" I suggested to my girlfriend. "I got a view of the stables right outside my window and you can take care of me while I'm recovering," I continued gently. "Gods know it's not the first time we've shared a bed," I chuckled.

"Ssh!" Briana hushed me quickly. It was a weekend that her sister was at a sleepover, her parents were on a couples retreat and her brother was in the next town over doing some work with his boss. I had a weekend off work for once so we decided to hang out at her place. However, there was a bad storm and it wasn't safe to fly so we secured the dragons and then bunkered down in the living room on the floor. Of course, kissing leads to making out and that leads to more. Briana and I have not had sex, but we have indulged in a little foreplay. However, I wasn't going to tell them that. God knows I would NEVER hear the end of it.

"When was this, Harrison?" Viviana asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, first of all, mother. I am twenty-years-old and do not need your permission to do anything that I do. Secondly, it was a bad storm and I was already over her house so I camped out there for the night. Briana isn't a fan of storms so we stayed in the living room together on the floor and watched comedy until we knocked out there. Either way, we're both adults and in a relationship together. I don't feel that sharing a bed after a year together is uncommon these days," I remarked. Briana let out a relieved breath that I didn't mention the foreplay. Why would I? It was our business, not theirs. "It's up to you, babe," I said to Briana lightly, leaving the choice in her hands.

"Well, I do want to be able to take care of you and if you need something, I don't want to have to run back and forth between rooms so I suppose sharing would be a better setup. Yeah, let's do it," Briana smiled. I nodded to her as Emmett came in with a nurse.

"Feeling better now?" Emmett asked.

"Much. So, as long as I can eat then I'm allowed to be discharged right?" I asked.

"Yep. Had the nurse bring you a sandwich," Emmett said as the nurse placed the plate down on the table and pushed it towards me. Thank the Gods, because I was starving. While eating, most of my friends left, and then I think my parents went to see Nate since there was word he was awake again. Briana stayed with me as I finished my food. Emmett gave the all clear and I signed my paperwork. The nurse unhooked the IV and monitors as I stood up slow and made it to the bathroom to use it and then get changed into my clothes from before. After leaving the room with Bri, I stopped in to see Nate and let him know that everything was going to be all right. I also told him that I needed to get some more rest and promised to see him tomorrow.

Leaving the hospital, I mounted Toothless slowly and fought through the pain as it would be a quick flight. Getting to the hotel by 3:05 pm, we settled our dragons together with their children and then Briana switched into my room after giving hers up for someone else. After Bri unpacked, I relaxed in the bed by her request. I was still tired, but this was going to be interesting. Briana and I sharing a hotel room for a few weeks while I healed up from the procedure; Briana called herself my nurse. I couldn't imagine how this could possibly be a bad thing with my girlfriend as my personal caretaker.