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.
46) Started It All
{Harrison's POV}
[Berkville Memorial Hospital-8:35 pm; 10/7/2017]
I was a happy man; not only did I get married today, but I got to meet mine and Briana's twin sons! Yep, that's right. Briana went into labor this morning and now, we have Colden and Cayden, our children. God, I couldn't believe how today went, not totally according to plan, but it worked out and I was proud to call myself a father and husband. Right now, everyone was in the room after Briana gave birth to the boys. I was sitting next to her in the hospital bed, I was holding Cayden while Briana had Colden in her arms. We'd already fed them both and now they were sleeping peacefully. I kissed the side of Briana's head, nothing made this moment better; sitting next to my new wife with sons. The day, rather night now, couldn't be better. I glanced at my family and friends, somehow we all squeezed ourselves into the one hospital room, well, most of us. Some had to go home as the hours passed, but wanted updates as labor progressed.
After everyone had entered the room, I could only smile while holding one of my sons as they all looked in amazement, anxiousness, and more to meet the newest additions to the Haddock family. I know they were all waiting to hear the announcement of names; Briana and I had decided on them earlier that morning before my Dad called to ask why I wasn't at his house yet.
"Everyone, I have two people I'd for you to meet. Colden and Cayden Haddock," I introduced softly to mine and Briana's families, then Trevor, Skye, Dexter, Hailey, Regina, Frankie, Syrus, TJ, and Addilyn.
"Which baby is who?" Hailey asked curiously.
"Well, Harrison is holding Cayden and I have Colden," Briana said gently, I could tell she was exhausted to. Up since 3 am, gave birth about fifteen minutes ago. I already told her we'd let everyone visit for a few minutes then I would stay up a bit so she could get some sleep and then I would join her for the next feeding around 11:30 pm or midnight. We would change the twins, and then likely get some sleep ourselves.
"I still find it amazing how all this happened. How did it start again?" Addilyn wondered.
"Well, Bri woke up around 3 am in pain, tried to ignore it until 3:45 when she yelled for me. After she told me she was in pain and would feel better if we went to the hospital, we came here. At that point, she was one centimeter dilated. For an hour, they just watched her. Just as we were going to get sent home, her water broke while she was two centimeters. After that, we got put in this room and Dad called me to ask where I was, you know the rest from there," I explained.
"And she did beautifully for twins. Took fifteen minutes to get Colden out, then another seven for Cayden. After both were cleaned off, weighed, and fed, Harrison said you could all come in to see them," Viviana said lightly.
"I can't get over the wedding before she gave birth," Regina giggled now.
"Well, I didn't want to start this family as the only one not being a Haddock and today was supposed to be our wedding day anyway, I saw no reason to change that," Briana shrugged.
"And we'll have the rest of it after you heal and we get back home, then adjust with the boys," I told her with a smile before kissing her lightly.
"Totally agree," Briana nodded.
"Well, I think that perhaps we should all move out and give the newly wedded parents some time with their family," Dexter suggested.
"I second that idea," Trevor replied. "Congrats to both of you, on the marriage and birth. We'll come see you tomorrow, just text us when it's okay," he added.
"Will do, Trev. Oh, can I ask a favor?" I stated while Briana adjusted Colden into her right arm and I put Cayden in my left.
"Sure thing, what do you need?" asked Syrus.
"Will one of you take a family photo; send it around to the rest of the group, Glenn, and Aaron too. Let them know the Colden was born first at 6lbs 5oz with a length of 19 ½ inches at 1:26 pm. And Cayden was born seven minutes later at 1:33 pm weighing in at 6lbs 3oz and a length of 19 inches exactly," I stated. Trevor got his phone out and took a picture of Briana, me and the twins while preparing the message with the information I gave him. Also labeling which baby was which.
"All set. I sent it to Liv, Chels, Andy, Hagebak, and Belmore," Trevor reported.
"Thanks, man," I smiled as Briana nodded and I got off the bed and placed Cayden in the small bedside crib, then I took Colden from Bri and set him down in the other provided bed. "You get some sleep," I told her.
"Are you sure you can handle them both?" Briana asked nervously.
"He won't be alone, Mrs. Haddock, I assure you. We're going to take them for a few hours anyway to do some tests. Nothing to be concerned about, it's all standard and give the new parents some time to rest," the nurse informed while she came in.
"See, it's all fine, babe. Get some rest, I'll be right here next to you in the chair that reclines," I chuckled a bit. Briana nodded as everyone said their goodbyes and got their quick shots of the twins together, then they left. I kissed Briana deeply, then laid down in the chair and set it back to rest. The nurse and another one came in to take the babies, after that, I was knocked out being utterly exhausted.
{Normal POV}
[10/27/2017-Harrison & Briana's Place-5:40 pm]
Briana and Harrison got to bring their babies home after three days in the hospital. The doctors just wanted to make sure the twins were alright to leave, but warned to try and keep them out of public for two or so weeks because they'd be more susceptible to getting sick since they were born a few weeks early. In addition to that piece of information, Briana and Harrison were given tips on life at home with two babies; the best bet was to get them on a schedule. Of course, the two new parents figured that one out on their own. It was now three weeks later and the two of them were finally getting the hang of it. The day started at 5:00 am with Harrison up first to change the twin's diapers, put them in their clothes for the day, and then prepare the bottles for Colden and Cayden to feed. By this point, Briana was awake and took one of the twins to feed while Harrison did the other one.
At 5:45 am, Harrison would leave for work to do his shift of 6 am to 2 pm, and then he'd be home to help his wife with the twins. For Briana's side of things after Harrison left, usually, both children would go back to sleep for a few hours, then wake up to be changed and fed again for 8:30-9am. Typically, someone would be over to help her out for the feedings. The last feeding of the night would be at 1 am, Harrison learned a trick to add infant cereal to the bottles and that pushed the babies until 4:30-5 am where the routine would begin again. Yep, the two finally got it down and now, things were working out perfectly. Tonight was a get together; everyone was coming over for the 'end of wedding' festivities. Harrison and Briana had their cake on the dining room table, and the dish for the evening was stuffed chicken breast with mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn. Of course, there were snack-like foods too. It was informal for what was to be a wedding reception, but simple.
"Briana, you look stunning for just having twins," Olivia giggled as Briana came down the stairs wearing a knee-length lavender dress. Briana lost all her baby weight by weeks two and she looked fantastic.
"Thank you," Briana smiled as Harrison offered his hand to help her down the last few, he whirled her around once and kissed her lovingly.
"Kids down?" Harrison asked softly.
"Changed, fed, and sleeping. They should be out until 8 or 9 pm," Briana nodded. "Flip the cams on?" Harrison grabbed the remote off the table and flipped the side screen on; it showed the twin's room on a split screen, each labeled for one of the babies.
"So that's what the little screens are," Frankie said with a smile.
"Yep. Harrison hooked it up, there is a screen in here, living room, and our room. It can also be rerouted to the main TV too," Briana smiled.
"Nice job," Spencer nodded. "So, how about that first dance?" he added with a smile.
"Oh, I suppose," Harrison chuckled as he moved to the TV stand and docked his phone and found the song for Briana and him to dance to, it had been changed from the original pick. The room stayed quiet as Harrison and Briana started dancing to their wedding song; This I Swear by Nick Lachey. After that, Briana danced with her father, then Harrison did the same with his mother afterward. Nate and Skye gave their speeches for the happy couple, cake was enjoyed after dinner. All in all, it was a great night and the twins woke up towards the end so everyone could see them again. Sure, it wasn't the planned reception they had a few weeks ago, but it didn't matter. Harrison and Briana were married, and surrounded by their closest friends and family. Nothing made it better.
[8:15 pm]
At the moment, everyone was sitting around the living room and chatting it up about how life was going. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Harrison moved towards it and turned the knob to reveal Colonel Dawson there. Harrison's eyes widened a little, even Aaron and Glenn were up instantly.
"Col-Colonel Dawson?" Harrison asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"Bit of a…situation and we need you," Cody informed.
"Oh, no you don't. I specifically stated after the last trip that I'm not taking anymore more missions until the twins are at least six months old," Harrison remarked. "I have a wife and two children to think about now,"
"Colonel Dawson. What is going on with all this? We've gotten no updates and Harrison is one of our company's soldiers," Aaron asked quickly.
"I'm sorry, Major Hagebak and you too, Lieutenant Belmore, but for all intensive purposes, Staff Sergeant Haddock is off Sky Striker Company right now and reports directly to me. As such, I do not have to tell you anything, and you're not authorized to know the information regardless," Cody informed then turned back to Harrison.
"Why only him?! You keep calling him away at random, and he's gone for weeks or months at a time and can't say a word to us. Now, I demand some kind of answers about all this," Briana stated quickly, but firmly.
Cody sighed heavily. "And I cannot tell you much either. My deepest apologies, Mrs. Haddock, but until we're cleared to talk, it had to be this way. All I can give you is that Harrison is helping out in a-," the man began as Harrison rolled his eyes.
"Helping out? Is that what we're calling me risking my ass now?" Harrison stated. "Bri, let it go, babe. Alright? I can't tell you what I'm doing or where I go, but I'll give you this; I'm a special ops soldier. Okay? That's what you all asked me the day of the gender reveal, and now I'm telling you. Yes, I'm an SOS and I get sent on long, dangerous missions at random, but that's all I can give you. Please take that information and leave it alone. As soon as this all settled, I'll be able to tell you what's been going on," he sighed heavily.
"Can you say how much longer?" Viviana wondered.
"There's no set amount unfortunately. It all gets determined on how my missions go each time, lately, not so good," Harrison shrugged. "And you," he added looking to Cody. "You're not supposed to be making house calls to discuss mission related topics. Now look, my wife gave birth three weeks ago to twins. On top of that birth, we ended up getting married same day. Tonight is the reception, though a bit late, regardless. I'm not going out for missions tonight and I'm not taking anymore until my kids reach six months old. I have already run this by HQ, unless you prefer that I give the general a call?"
"You couldn't possibly have General Robinson's number," Cody said, a bit stunned now.
"Oh, I think you'll find that I do, Colonel. See, as you put it to Hagebak and Belmore; for all intensive purposes, I work for headquarters as an SOS and just base out of Fort Fury. If you will recall, the General assigned me this operation and I call most of the shots on how it goes. Right now, I say that I'm not going until my kids get a bit older. I take orders from you because they come from him, but I can call him to have that confirmed if you like?" Harrison asked. "I hope you didn't assume I wouldn't know the chain of command. General Robinson is a busy guy, so he sends his orders to me through you. However, I can contact him if need be,"
"That…won't be necessary, Sergeant Haddock. Let us know when you're ready and I'm sorry for disturbing you. Have a good night," Cody said as exited the apartment and Harrison closed the door.
"What the hell, Harrison," Syrus mentioned.
"You're a Staff Sergeant?" Olivia blinked. Harrison nodded once.
"You have General Robinson's office number?" Glenn asked.
"Nah," Harrison smiled. "I have his cell," he added as they all stared at him while he shrugged. "Don't ask questions, I've already told you all I can. It's late, time to call it night," Not arguing with him, they all began to get ready and leave the apartment. When it was cleared out, Harrison and Briana got their boys ready for bed and laid them down. Harrison and Briana reached their room after making sure the duplex was locked up tight, the two smiled and shared a kiss before decided to make love for an hour, then they went to sleep curled up in one another's eyes. They weren't sure what else life held for them, but tonight seemed to start it all.