The Edge
Pairing; Toothless X Hiccup
Setting; Modern AU
Rating; M for Mature
Disclaimer; I do not own the HTTYD or any of the music that is used. Everything belongs to its original creator/artist!
26: Processes of Parenthood
=Harvey's POV=
[December 4th, 2017-Harvey & Trayden's Home]
I was ecstatic upon being told that I no longer had to wear the arm sling at the end of October! I was healed from the gunshot wound and had no limitations. I had full use of my arm and could do all the things I loved to do such as bartend, serve, and make love to my husband. Sure, I could do it before, but it was more enjoyable when I didn't have to be careful. The opening of The Edge with just family, friends, and staff had been a blast; I could not have asked for a better day, and getting to hear the song that Trayden wrote on his own to signify overcoming the fear of his father made it perfect. I had come up with a new song, but it wasn't being revealed until Christmas time to mark four years that The Edge had started. So, on the brighter side of things; a lot of new updates had come about since the private opening of The Edge Bar & Nightclub.
My cousin Seth and Calista were officially a couple; he asked her out on Halloween of all days. I did enjoy seeing Seth so happy, and Cali too. Roslyn and Eli were doing really well and would be together a full year come March. Travis and Winter were getting closer; talking about their pasts and old relationships. I hoped they ended up together, I believed they were a good match. Winter hadn't had a good track record with boyfriends either, and I had been informed privately about Travis's first girlfriend, so I sincerely hoped that things would work out for them if they began dating; the apparent crush had already formed. Daniel and Stephanie were expecting another child because Steph was ten weeks pregnant, she announced it at Thanksgiving. Daniel was hoping for a boy but would be content with either.
Another couple with a baby on the way was Ashley and Zackary. Ashley got pregnant in October after the private opening of The Edge happened, and then Zack, as far as I know, is planning to ask her hand in marriage over Christmas which was taking place in twenty-one days. Ashley was currently seven weeks and four days along. Zack had sent a picture to me and asked if I thought Ashley would like it since he recalled from previous encounters that I am Ashley's best friend and know everything there is to know about her. I told her that she wouldn't care about the ring because she just wants a loyal, caring man at her side. Zack said he could provide that, and I told him that Ashley will say yes. Heather and Ford wanted more but were still waiting until Kyle got a bit older since he was a very active toddler nowadays. All these families around Tray and I only made him want to have one of our own.
I promised Trayden that after the public opening of The Edge; we would sit down and talk about our two options for starting a family, so that was today's plan. Trayden and I woke up around 7:30 am, and he showered while I made breakfast, then we ate together. I showered afterward, then we tidied up the apartment before sitting down in the office to use the computer for research purposes.
"Alright, where do we start?" Trayden asked excitedly; I loved seeing the smile on his face.
"Settle down, Love. There's a lot that goes into both options," I reminded him.
"I know, but that's why I want to get started," Trayden beamed.
"Okay. We have adoption or surrogacy; which do you want to try first?" I inquired.
"Well, while I know that we have the money to go through with surrogacy, I'd rather save that if the adoption didn't work out for us," Trayden admitted.
"Let's look up adoption then," I smiled as Trayden nodded while I brought up the web page for Archia Isle Adoption.
"So, what is the process for this?" Trayden questioned. I skimmed over the steps there were for the option we'd chosen to pursue.
"Seems like we start by having to attend an Adoption Information Meeting held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Department of Youth and Families. I guess at those we get information about the process, and there are applications available to start things if interested," I said.
"Doesn't seem so bad. Tuesday nights would probably be better for us; Andrew or Kevin can manage The Edge," Trayden informed.
"Looks like these meetings are only once a month and start at 6 pm. The next one is tomorrow night," I told my husband.
"Can we go?" Trayden asked pleadingly. I smiled and nodded to him. "Yay!" I kissed his cheek and saved the web page to reference back too. This was our first step in starting a family; I wondered what else we would have to do before it was official.
=Normal POV=
Tuesday night came and went; Harvey and Trayden attended the meeting, which lasted until 8 pm, but they got a ton of information on the subject. Harvey and Trayden learned all the steps they would have to go through before anything significant happened, and that night they put in an application to start the process. The actions following the information meeting were to enroll a home study and partake in an adoption preparation class, which could take between eight and ten weeks. The purpose of this was for a worker to get to know the family, and the course was to prepare a couple to take a child who was in state care so the worker could match the child to the family. Next was to meet the social worker in their home, to get to know them, and discuss what child they believed would be good for them to adopt; Harvey and Trayden were hoping for a baby.
Another step would be completing paperwork for the home finder to make a report on, then register it with the adoption agency. After that was the waiting period, which they had been warned could take a while depending on the child, they were hoping to adopt. If all that went well, the next stage was learning about the children they were being considered for. The final two levels of adoption were that Trayden and Harvey would get to meet the child or children if they were siblings because the state tried to keep them together if adoption petitioners were alright with that. It would start with visits for a few hours, then work up to overnight and weekends. Placement day would be when the child moves in, and then the last section was the finalization of the adoption to name Trayden and Harvey the legal parents, entitled to all the rights of a biological parent.
Needless to say, this was going to be one heck of a process they had to endure to adopt a child or possibly children. Trayden and Harvey already decided that they would keep siblings together if it came down to that because the wouldn't split up a family that was already made. Thus far, they were in the second step with the home study and prep courses. It started just after 2018 began, and would end sometime in the beginning of March if all went well.
[End of March 2018]
Well, they had done it; completed the courses and home study. Just last week, the home finder came to them to meet one on one and learn about their lifestyle. In technical terms of the process; they were on step four. Meetings with the home finder to match them with the best child or children. Today, a session was just ending; Tray and Harvey finished all the paperwork they were asked to do, and now the rest was up to the waiting game.
[July 2018]
Harvey and Trayden were twenty-six-years-old as of February and had celebrated four years of marriage in mid-June. There was no luck on the adoption because of their preferences to have a younger child in their home, to get the joy of raising one as it would for families who could have children together. Harvey could tell that it was bothering Trayden that even now, four months later, there had been nothing at all.
"Tray?" Harvey asked him. "Are you okay?"
"I just thought…we'd be parents by now," Trayden sighed.
"We knew it could take a while, babe," Harvey hugged him.
"Do you think surrogacy would have been faster?" Trayden inquired.
"It's possible, but still an equal amount of work that goes into that option too," Harvey reminded.
"At least we would know that after nine months; we'd have a baby," Trayden looked down.
"Is that something you want to pursue, Trayden?" Harvey questioned. "Do you want to give surrogacy a try?" Trayden nodded to him. "Then get some sleep, and we'll do a little research in the morning," Harvey told him. Trayden smiled and kissed him deeply, then they cuddled up in their bed before falling asleep. The next morning after doing the usual routine, they were seated at the computer to look up how the surrogacy process went. Just like with adoption, there were quite a bit of steps but had an overall better outcome for what they wanted. Harvey made the phone call the surrogacy agency on Archia Isle and set up and appointment to start things.
=Trayden's POV=
[September 2018]
I want to say I made the right choice going to surrogacy because things moved a lot fast. Harvey and I did all the paperwork, and all we were waiting on was a woman with the traits we wanted in a baby. One of the choices we were given was which of us would be donating the sperm and since I've always wanted a blood child of my own, Harvey and I selected for me to be the donor when the time came. We hoped to find a female with auburn hair and green eyes, that way Harvey and I could have it almost be like it was our child. Currently, in other life updates; The Edge was doing fantastic, but we expected that once we reopened at the end of October 2017 when Harvey's shoulder was healed.
Daniel's wife, Stephanie gave birth in mid-July to Oliver John Lanvik; named after Daniel's father, Oliver, and the John came from Stephanie's grandfather who passed away when she was seven months along. Ashley and Zack also welcomed a child, their daughter; Astrid Holt in August. Also, Zack and Ashley planned to marry when Astrid was six months old. Oh, Travis and Winter ended up getting together in January 2018; they kissed when the New Year hit, and made things official between them. Roslyn and Eli had been together a full year, still going strong. Seth and Calista too. Overall, everyone was doing grand in their lives. Now, I just hoped that soon, Harvey and I would get to take the next step in our lives. Tonight was work for Harvey and me, so we were downstairs giving a helping hand on this beautiful Saturday afternoon. It wasn't out of control because the school year just began at the end of August, but it still had its high points at particular times.
I was helping with some of the serving when I noticed Harvey got a phone call, then stepped outside to take it since Brett and Brady were testing their equipment. Ten minutes later, Harvey returned with a smile as he walked towards me.
"What's up, baby?" I asked.
"Come with me," Harvey took my hand and led us upstairs to our apartment. Once the door was closed, he kissed me. "So, ready to take the next step in having a family?" he asked. I blinked at him.
"What do you mean?" I inquired.
"Tray, that was the surrogacy agent we're working with who called me a moment ago," Harvey said as my eyes widened a bit. "There's a woman with brown hair and green eyes who signed up to be a surrogate mother three weeks ago. All her physicals are done, and she's just waiting to carry. We've already had our examinations done as well, mainly yours. The worker said the next step is taking care of legal requirements; she has a lawyer ready to speak with us on Wednesday about everything, then that advisor will talk to the woman's counsel. After everything is squared away, with signed contracts, we can start the process pregnancy process," Harvey explained.
"S-So we're…almost there with having a baby?" I questioned, and Harvey nodded to me happily. I couldn't believe it; things were finally moving forward for us!
=Normal POV=
[Friday, September 14th, 2018-Agency Office]
Today was the day that Harvey and Trayden got to sit down with the woman who would be carrying their child and sign the contracts with the lawyers present. As the two lovers understood, the legal counsel had handled everything, and today was to go over it and make sure both sides were getting what they wanted. Harvey held Trayden's hand as they were led into the room where three others were seated at the table. The lawyer representing the Haddock's was Michael Uddo, but Harvey and Trayden didn't know the woman or other advisor serving her.
"Harvey. Trayden. I'd like for you to meet Miss. Maria Ramirsen, and her lawyer, Raymond Mckinley. Maria, Raymond, this is Harvey Haddock and his husband, Trayden Haddock," Michael introduced.
"It's a pleasure to meet you finally," Trayden smiled.
"Likewise," Maria replied gently. Harvey and Trayden knew a little about her background; that she was a mother of two already, and only twenty-five-years-old. Maria's reason to be a surrogate was that she learned that doing so could help her earn a bit of money to support her children since the father walked out on them for a younger woman, and the divorce left her with hardly anything.
"Well, I think we should get this started. I've been working with Mr. McKinley since Wednesday after I spoke with you two about agreements, and for once, I believe everything will be going smoothly," Michael began things. After nearly forty-minutes of going over things; both sides were on the same page. Harvey and Trayden would be paying for anything Maria needed regarding anything involving the baby; such as doctor appointments, and possible medications, and the hospital fees once the birth took place. However, no payment would be given until the pregnancy was confirmed, and a heartbeat was heard on sonogram; this was how most contracts were set up to ensure there would be no complications, and if something did happen, then Maria would be reimbursing Harvey and Trayden.
Also, the agreement in place allowed Harvey and Trayden to be present for sonograms, and any testing to be done as they wanted to be there for her, so she wasn't going through it alone. Maria was required to update Harvey and Trayden after any regular appointments, and let them be around her to get to feel the baby moving so on and so forth. Harvey, Trayden, and Maria signed in their respected spots, and everyone shook hands. Finally, everything was legalized, and soon it would come time to make the baby.
[November 12th, 2018]
After two months of Maria receiving fertility treatments, and pinpointing her exact ovulation, the time had come to provide the sperm. However, Trayden was led to the bathroom to do his thing. Harvey was in the waiting area, and Maria was in the office. According to the estimates, Maria would be ovulating in two days, so they were going to inseminate her today and tomorrow for a better chance at conception.
"When you're done, just leave it in the basket on the back of the toilet, and then you can return to the waiting room," the nurse told Trayden, who nodded and entered the restroom. Once he was in there, he locked the door and tried to masturbate, and found that he couldn't because of how nervous he was to be doing something like this in an office with people walking by every few moments. Trayden sighed heavily as he got out his phone and texted Harvey.
~I can't do this…~
~Why not? What's wrong?~
~I'm nervous, and I don't like everyone always coming by the door, and knowing I'm doing this because of the door hanger saying 'privacy please.'~
~Pretend you're at home, Love.~
~Harv, I can't get hard. I've already tried, and I can't. There is literally nothing enticing in here to get me turned on because all the magazines are female models, and that doesn't do it for me, aside from being nervous.~
Harvey didn't reply after that as Trayden was ready to give up after trying for another five minutes to get himself erect and failing. As Tray was about to message Harvey again when the handle jiggled a bit. "J-Just a minute," he called nervously. Suddenly, a text came through from his husband.
~I'm outside the door, unlock it and let me in before anyone walks by.~
Trayden unlocked the door and opened it a little as Harvey slipped inside and locked it once more. Before Trayden could ask why Harvey had shown up, Harvey kissed him deeply and pressed him firmly against the wall as he slipped his hand into Trayden's already unbuttoned pants.
"What…are you doing?" Trayden asked. Harvey lightly grabbed hold of his husband's cock and began stroking it. Trayden went to moan, but Harvey kissed him again.
"Ssh. I'm helping you so we can have this baby because we can't do it without you, Love," Harvey told him. Trayden nodded in reply.
~Lemon Start; HarveyXTrayden~
Trayden couldn't believe that Harvey snuck to the restroom to help him out because he knew that Tray was having trouble getting it up. Harvey knew that Trayden couldn't resist him, and that's why it made it perfect for Harvey to help out. Trayden ended up holding the railing while Harvey pulled Trayden's pants and boxers down to find his soft length. Harvey got the cup and placed it near him, and then Harvey crouched down on the floor before he started stroking his husband's cock back and forth.
"Harvey…" Trayden breathed out, remembering to be quiet so no one would find out Harvey was in there with him. It took a minute or so, but with Harvey touching him, Trayden got hard, and once he was, Harvey began to suck on him while stroking. "Gods!"
"Keep your voice down, these walls aren't sound proof like ours at home," Harvey warned. Trayden bit his bottom lip as Harvey continued to stroke and suck on his hardened length. This went on for five minutes, and in total, Trayden had been in there for fifteen. "You need to cum, babe," Harvey said as he kept stroking Trayden.
"I-I just can't get there in a public place, Harv," Trayden panted. Harvey got up from his crouch as he turned Trayden around, so he was facing the wall, still holding the bar. Trayden heard the sound of a zipper going down, then pants falling. Trayden didn't get a chance to ask what Harvey was doing because a moment later, Trayden felt Harvey's hard cock press at the entrance of his ass. Harvey pushed inside and clamped a hand over Trayden's mouth before he could moan out. Harvey began thrusting; bringing his hips back and forth as Trayden's arms nearly gave out. Harvey was holding the cup in his right hand while stroking Trayden with the left.
"How about now?" Harvey asked.
"Th-That's not…fair…" Trayden breathed heavily.
"All is fair in love and war, Love. Now, why don't you stop focusing on the fact this is an office and just let the pleasure take over. It's just you and me right now, going at it like we do at home. Forget everything else, Tray, and remember that if this works, we get to be parents in nine months. Come on, this is what you wanted; we wanted. A baby. Just like any other couple, sex leads to pregnancy, so cum, Tray. Cum and let's make a baby together," Harvey told him.
Trayden closed his eyes and let go of every other feeling besides love and pleasure. Harvey began to thrust harder and faster while stroking Trayden's cock the way he liked it. "Gods, Harvey. That's it; I'm close," Trayden told him. "Ah, f-fuck," he moaned quietly. Harvey began to pound into his husband while Tray fought screaming out in pleasure.
"Don't hold back, Tray. Cum. Cum for me, baby," Harvey instructed.
Trayden gripped the bar hard. "Harv, more…I'm…right there,"
"Oh, me too. Cum with me," Harvey told him while beginning to stroke faster.
"Ah. Harvey. I-I'm gonna cum," Trayden admitted. Harvey handed him the cup to hold at the tip of his cock.
"Cum," Harvey told him as he thrust into him a few more times.
"Fuck. Harvey, I'm…cumming," Trayden panted as he began to cum and it landed in the small cup. Harvey stroked Trayden slower, then moved his hand to Trayden's hips while picking up speed. Harvey grit his teeth a little before released within his husband's ass. Harvey leaned Trayden back a bit, then kissed him.
~Lemon End; TraydenXHarvey~
Harvey pulled out slowly, then stepped back as he took the cup from Trayden, and capped it. Harvey put in the basket on the back of the toilet, then cleaned himself off and yanked up his pants. He and Trayden kissed once more before Trayden used a paper towel to wipe off any excess cum, then he fixed his boxers and pants.
"I'll check to see if it's clear. I'll go out first, then you come out after a minute," Harvey told him. Trayden nodded in response. Harvey opened the door a crack to check around, then he slipped through walked down the hall to the waiting area. Trayden gave it a minute or two, then he exited just as the nurse was coming down the hallway.
"All set?" she smiled.
"U-Um, yes. Sorry, it took so long. Got a little…nervous," Trayden admitted.
"Oh, that's alright. A lot of bisexual and gay men do; they have trouble. You should have said something, we would have let your husband in there with you. Happens all the time! If you're done, just head out to the waiting area. The doctor will let you know when the insemination is finished," the nurse informed. Trayden nodded and walked away. Trayden couldn't believe what he heard; Harvey was allowed in there the whole time. Boy, wasn't this going to be a fun story to tell Harvey later on when the got home?
Fifteen minutes later, the doctor came out to tell them that everything went beautifully, and they'd inseminate Maria again tomorrow, but they wouldn't need to be there for it this time. Harvey and Trayden left with high hopes that next month, they would find out they were going to be parents. However, one thing was for sure that they if it worked; they were never doing this again. One child was more than enough. Harvey and Trayden left and returned home, praying for the best, and more than ready to get something to eat, and then rest because the processes of parenthood were definitely tiring.