=Normal POV=
(Saturday, 2/17/2018-6:00 pm)
(Archian Island, Berk)
(Archetti's)

It had been a little over two weeks since the dinner with Nicole's family that Hunter joined them on to Berkbees, also that the Strondsen's learned of Valerie Haddock's fate of passing unexpectedly from some disease involving the heart. It was mostly written off as a sudden heart attack, but there had been an official cause of death that Hiccup did not want to ask his father as the one year anniversary of her passing was coming up shortly and it was somewhat painful through the first year. Hunter knew it got easier with time, but the first year, as he'd heard so many times; was the hardest. What hurt Hunter the most was how sudden things were; getting ready to have a peaceful family dinner one moment and then the next; his mom was being pronounced dead at the scene from an unknown cause. Then later learning what it was, not that he could remember. The sadness hadn't been overly hard to deal with until recently because Hunter was so busy, but now that May was coming up; he could feel it all and knew he'd get through it friends, family, and his girlfriend with her family, who expressed that if he needed anything, to let them known.

However, today was Saturday the 17th and it was meant to honor two things for Hunter and Nicole given where the original dates of said events fell. The 14th was Valentines Day, and their first as a couple, so that was nice, but the downside was that it fell on a Wednesday when there was school, and Hunter's Basketball practice. He was exhausted afterward, so they pushed plans to today. And the other event was for the 23rd, their two month anniversary of being in a relationship. However, the 23rd would also fall on a Friday later in next week where they'd have school and Hunter would have practice, followed by a game the next Saturday morning at 9 am, then work from 12:30 to 8:30 pm. Sunday, he'd likely spend resting and Nicole wouldn't blame him either. So, today was the one spent for them to celebrate both events with a nice dinner and then later movie showing, possibly ice cream to follow the film.

The beginning of their day was held up with Hunter needing to go into work to do a few things when it was busy and Glenn had two callouts. So, Hunter worked from 8 am to 4 pm, then got home around 4:15 pm to shower and handle a few things at home for his dad that needed to be done. At 5:30 pm, he left to get Nicole from her house, and then take them both to a nice restaurant called Archetti's; a popular spot on the island with restaurants in every one of the towns. Hunter made reservations on Friday morning, just for the sake of making sure they weren't waiting around for a table like so many others did. Hunter never used his pull as the mayor's son to get in somewhere; he liked making his way in life rather than what being Mayor Spencer Haddock's son could get him. Some of the perks were nice, such as being well known, but that was it. Hunter never used his father's fortune to ask for anything, and he rarely made public events unless it was family orientated. His jeep was a birthday gift from his parents for scoring perfect on his driving exams, and making the honor roll that year, which he basically did every year except last one because of his not perfect attendance after his mother passed away.

"I've never been here, I'm excited." Nicole beamed as the jeep pulled into a space and Hunter turned it off. The two unbuckled and made their way to the door, which Hunter opened for her.

"I'm surprised, but I'm happy to be the one to take you for your first time." Hunter replied. He offered his arm to her as she smiled and linked hers before walking to the entrance doors an going inside.

It was busy for a Saturday night at 6 pm. Not only was the dining areas busy, but also the waiting area for people trying to get a table after walking in. Archetti's did reservations and walk-ins, but the reservations were always sat first and the others would get a spot when another, unreserved place opened up. It's exactly why Hunter made a reservation the night before, and used it just under his first name to avoid people geeking out that the mayor's son was there.

"Welcome to Archetti's!" The hostess greeted. "Walk in or reservation?" She wondered with a smile.

"Reservation for two at 6 pm under Hunter." Hunter replied gently.

"I have you right here. Your table is just opening up now, sir. Have a seat and we'll grab you in a few minutes." The hostess informed. Hunter nodded, leading Nicole away from the desk and against the wall for now. There was not use sitting when they'd only be moving again, plus there was no place to really sit. Not more than five minutes later, the hostess returned with two menus on her arms. "Hunter, party of two?"

"Present." Hunter smiled as he and Nicole moved to follow the hostess through the restaurant to a nice spot in the back.

"Here are your menus, and a specials one. Your waiter or waitress will be right with you, enjoy your meal!" The hostess set the items down and then hurried off back to her post at the desk.

"Okay, you'll have to help me decide on something to eat. I've never even seen have these choices before." Nicole's eyes bugged at the menu options.

Hunter laughed a little. "Okay, so it's mainly seafood and Italian cuisine. There's some choices for steaks and what not too, so it's pretty decent variety."

"I was looking more for a recommendation, babe." Nicole giggled. "I'm sure you've eaten here plenty of times."

"Yeah, I've taken Ashley on a few dates. And been here for dinner with the family too." Hunter nodded. "Well, what are you in the mood for? Pasta? Meat? Seafood? I've had just about everything here." He asked.

"Uh, I don't know. I guess pasta-related. We did burgers last night for dinner, and then steak the night before that…" Nicole replied.

"Alright, now…How hungry are you because, babe…The portions here are usually ones you take home and have for leftover lunch or dinner tomorrow." Hunter chuckled.

"Um, pretty hungry I guess." Nicole said.

"Your best bet is the Chicken Farfalle. It's bowtie pasta, breaded chicken strips, and broccoli tossed in a really nice seasoned oil. It's one of the first things I had here, and still one of my favorites." Hunter suggested.

"I trust your word, so I'll get that." Nicole stated. The waiter came over now with a bright smile, carrying salad in a bowl, two bowls, and bread on a plate with a dipping oil.

"Hello there. I'm Kevin, I'll be your server tonight. I've brought our usual starters of salad and bread over to enjoy while waiting for appetizers, and or, dinner." Kevin greeted, setting everything down. "Can I start you both with something to drink?" He pulled out his order pad.

"Ladies first?" Hunter offered as Nicole smiled at his gently.

"Strawberry Lemonade, please?" Nicole asked.

"Excellent, and for you, sir?" Kevin asked.

"I'll do Coke, please." Hunter replied.

"Will there be any appetizers to start with?" Kevin wondered.

"Anything you want, babe?" Hunter looked at his girlfriend of almost two months.

"Suggestions?" Nicole shrugged, having no idea.

"The Mozzarella Sticks are to die for here, and aren't those your favorite?" Hunter said, seeing her nod her head quickly. "One order of those, please. And I think we've got our dinner order figured out too." He smiled, motioning to Nicole to go ahead when Kevin got his pen and pad ready.

"What can I get for you, Ma'am?" Kevin asked.

"Um, Chicken Farfalle, please." Nicole informed lightly.

"And how about you, sir?" Kevin looked at Hunter.

"Same as Milady over here. Chicken Farfalle, please." Hunter smiled. Kevin nodded, collecting the menus.

"Excellent choices, and I'll have your appetizer out to you soon." Kevin mentioned before hurrying away from the table. Nicole and Hunter both got started on the bread and salad, chatting a bit through it. After just a few minutes, the drinks arrived from another server in the same area who had theirs and another table's drinks.

"So got what I did?" Nicole asked.

"Eh, haven't had it in a while and I mentioned that it was one of my favorites." Hunter replied while they enjoyed their pre-appetizer of salad and bread dipped in garlic and olive-oil. This was going to be a great dinner, and even better night.

. . .

(10:00 pm)
(The Frozen King)

Dinner had been excellent for them both, and they did have leftovers to take home and probably eat tomorrow. The movie was great too; it started at 7:45 pm, so it had been perfect timing that dinner got done and they were out of Archetti's by 7:15 pm. It gave them time to get to the cinema, buy their tickets, get drinks and a small popcorn to share; then finally sit down to enjoy the showing. Afterward, it was about 9:00 pm so they just took a little late night stroll in the park; it gave them time to digest everything from dinner and the theatre. They decided to get ice cream after all, and were now sitting in Hunter's car that sat in the parking lot of the park to enjoy the sweet treat.

"This has been an amazing night…" Nicole sighed out happily.

"I'm sorry we couldn't start earlier like originally planned. The idea had been to take you for lunch to Archetti's, then walk around the park and catch the earlier showing of the movie. Then get ice cream and maybe go back to my place for another movie and cuddling on my couch." Hunter chuckled. "The idea had been to spend all day with you." He added.

"Well, things happen, babe. It's okay." Nicole smiled. "You can't help being called into work."

"I could have said no, but I usually don't for Uncle Glenn. Guy taught me everything I know about cars, and has let me work for him for years." Hunter said.

"It's fine, Hunter. Seriously. I had just as much fun in the last five hours as we would have had all day." Nicole leaned over to kiss his cheek.

"Oh!" Hunter suddenly said, setting his ice cream down in the cupholder. "I got you something for Valentines Day…" He mentioned softly as he pulled out small black box with a silver ribbon, then handed it to her.

"You didn't have to get me anything…But I got you something too." Nicole giggled a little, handed him an iTunes gift card for $20.00, then a new pair of his favorite headphones. "Well, it's two things…But I figured this was two events we were celebrating so…" She shrugged.

"I had the same thought, actually. There's two things in that box." Hunter informed.

"I'm sorry I didn't wrap mine, and it was all I could think to get you. I know you love your music, and your headphones were starting to die." Nicole blushed a bit.

"No, no. I love them, babe. Thank you." Hunter set the card in his wallet, then made sure he put the headphones in his hoodie pocket. Hunter gave her a small kiss on the lips before she started opening her present from him. Within the box was a black crystal bracelet that had a red gem heart on the top and one clear crystal in the middle of the heart, something Hunter noticed Nicole eyeing on their last mall trip, which had also been a random date idea. The second thing in the box was a necklace on a silver chain; the design was a red heart in silver vines that had black roses scatted around the vines. The heart was in the vines too, so it was a beautiful design and in Nicole's style, which is why Hunter knew she'd love it.

"Hunter, they're beautiful. Thank you so much." Nicole admired the gifts. "I'm surprised you found the matching set. It's been sold out forever and I didn't want to pay the online prices." She smiled.

"I know somebody who works in jewelry and had the stuff I was looking for laying around. It's custom, Milady; slightly different than the ones in Hot Topic, but still same price as store-bought." Hunter explained. "This isn't fake metal, and it won't rust or wear down. Perfectly waterproof too." He added.

"They're amazing…You didn't have to go so extra with me. Can you help me put them on?" Nicole asked gently.

"Of course." Hunter nodded. "And it wasn't so much extra as I wanted them to last a while. You mentioned once that a lot of your stuff wears down because it's all fake metal or weaker than normal stuff." He said while getting the bracelet on her left wrist, then she turned her back to him and moved her hair out of the way for him to clip the necklace.

"I love them." Nicole turned to face them as they shared another kiss. The two sat in their seats of the jeep, looking out to the pond just a bit ahead of them from where they were parked. It was quiet for a few moments.

"It's getting late, should I take you home now?" Hunter asked. Not that he wanted the night to end, but from where they were, it would take about fifteen or twenty minutes to get back to their neighborhoods.

"Probably, just so you have time to get home before 11 pm too." Nicole agreed. The two buckled up as Hunter turned on the jeep and headed for Nicole's house.

. . .

(10:35 pm)
(Strondsen Home)

Pulling In Nicole's driveway, the garage light already flipped on and they just sat there a few moments. Hunter wasn't worried because it didn't take him long to get home from her place. Once the gear was in park, Nicole and Hunter both unbuckled so he could walk her to the door. They stood there on the porch, holding hands.

"Thank you for a wonderful night, Hunter." Nicole said.

"Thank you for joining me." Hunter joked as Nicole laughed too.

"Message me when you get home?" Nicole asked.

"Always." Hunter nodded. "I love you." He leaned in and kissed her semi-deeply. Nicole returned the action, never saying the words back and Hunter didn't mind. He understood that she didn't know if what she felt for him was love or not, and there was no rush either. "Night, babe."

"Night, babe." Nicole said before opening her door and going into her house. When Hunter hear the lock flip and Nicole give a thumbs up from the window, Hunter headed back for his jeep. He buckled up and then backed out to head to his home.

. . .

(12:00 pm)
(Haddock Home)

Hunter got home before 11 pm; he put his leftovers in the fridge and said a quick hello to his dad and uncle before going to his room. Hunter messaged Nicole he was home safe and going to take a shower, then would message after. Hunter cleaned up his room a bit, shaved, and then finally too the shower. Once all that was done, Hunter let Nicole know he was going to bed and loved her; she said she was going to bed as well and would text him in the morning unless he messaged her first. Thankfully, Hunter had tomorrow off from games and work, so he was going to fully take advantage of relaxing all day before school started again on Monday. Hunter knocked out at midnight, completely happy with his life.