=Normal POV=
(Sunday, 4/1/2018- 10:00 am)
(Archian Island, Berk)
(Haddock Home)
It was finally April 2018; about nine days since Nicole's first sleepover at her boyfriend, Hunter's, house. It had been a nice night, despite the truth coming out about why his ex-girlfriend, Ashley, had broken up with him. The two enjoyed their movie, some comedy sets, drinks, and snacks before going to bed. There was nothing awkward about sharing, and everything was fine the next morning. Hunter and Nicole spent all of the 24th together for their anniversary and he took her home around 10:00 pm that night. When they returned to school on the 26th, Ashley asked Nicole in the ladies bathroom if she told Hunter the truth and Nicole didn't lie to Ashley about the fact she did. Hunter later informed Ashley that she should have just told him honestly what was going on, but it was done and over with now and he was letting it all go for the sake of moving on in his life and keeping their circle of friends drama free.
It was still awkward for Ashley and Hunter, but perhaps with time; that would pass. The two knew they could never be the friends that they were before dating. The group did know the truth, and it was out of respect for Hunter that nothing was said to Ashley about what she did, also because they knew Nicole had said everything they wanted to. Ashley knew what she did was wrong, that was all any of them needed to know to leave things be. The week went by pretty easily, but towards Thursday, Hunter started to notice the medication he was given wasn't doing as much as it had through the month of March. At the same time, Hunter knew that could happen, Keith warned him about it; that the meds weren't a permanent fix.
The medication still worked, just not as much, which made Hunter nervous that things were getting worse. So, as promised, Hunter revealed that in Friday's appointment to Keith that he was slightly starting to feel the symptoms again. The results of the tests showed that things hadn't progressed much and perhaps his body was building an immunity to the meds, so Keith suggested Hunter only take them twice a day instead of three times. Hunter chose morning, to get through school and then at night to help him sleep. There was only two more months to go until he'd have the surgery, so hopefully, everything would work out and he'd be okay. This morning, Hunter woke up pretty early, at 5:00 am. He wasn't feeling the greatest, but he hadn't taken the medication yet either and wouldn't under later so it'd get him through the morning and some of the afternoon.
Hunter used the bathroom, showered, and got himself ready to start the day despite the joint pain, nausea, and headache. By the time he got all this done; it was about 6:00 am and he went out to greet his father and godfather in the kitchen, knowing they were already up. It was a Sunday, so not really any work to do. If Spencer was needed for something mayor-related; he'd get a call to come in.
"Morning." Hunter greeted them.
"Good morning, son. Sleep well?" Spencer asked.
Hunter nodded. "Yeah, how about you two?"
"Perfect night." Glenn chuckled.
"Peaceful." Spencer said.
"That's good. You guys hungry, I'll cook breakfast?" Hunter offered.
The two males nodded as Hunter got to work on making eggs, toast, bacon, and home-fries. He texted Nicole a bit when she woke up and they started their daily messages to one another. Hunter served his dad and Glenn before himself, then sat down at the table to start eating. After the three of them ate, Spencer had to get some side work done, and Glenn headed to the shop for a few hours to go over a few things and check in. Hunter took the liberty of cleaning up from breakfast, then doing the dishes. Not long after that, he just got started cleaning the kitchen, which then turned into tidying up the living room, and the main floor bathroom. Hunter ended up cleaning his own room, not that it needed a lot because he stayed on things in there. By the time all this was done; it 10:00 am and he sat down on his bed debating how to spend his day. He hadn't gotten to see Nicole this weekend due to practice Friday night, then work. On Saturday he had an early game, and work again.
Maybe I should invite them over for dinner? I always get invited to join them, and the only time they ever came here was for a brief few minutes to drop Nicole off at Addilyn's birthday party in September… Hunter thought to himself before getting a message from Nicole, which pulled him from his thoughts. Glancing down to the device in his hands, he opened the message fully, since the screen only showed a preview.
Milady, 10:02 am
So what are your plans on this fine Sunday, babe?
Hunter considered his idea more, and he wanted to invite her and her family over for dinner at his dad's house. Hunter got up and went down to his father's office, which was on the other side of the main floor bathroom. It was the spare bedroom, but since Gobber had the one closest to the foyer, and Hunter's was in the back of the house behind the living room; it made sense for Spencer to take the third room in the hallway for himself, but he kept it locked up tight. Well, Hunter had actually made a copy of the key because his father horrible at keeping thins neat, and constantly lost basic items. Hunter knocked on the door a few times and waited for a response.
"Come on in, son." Spencer's voice sounded through the other side of the door. Hunter was gonna ask how his dad knew it was him, but then recalled Glenn wasn't home and Hunter clearly hadn't left the house, so it made sense Hunter would be at his door. Hunter set his hand to turn the handle and walk in. "What's up?" Spencer smiled and looked up from his desk.
"I was thinking of inviting Nicole and her family over for dinner tonight, if…That's cool with you? I haven't seen her all weekend, and they are always inviting me over for meals with them during the week and on weekends. Just thought it'd be nice to return the gesture." Hunter shrugged a bit with a smile on his face.
"That's a great idea, Hunter! Yes, go right ahead and do it. Glenn and I will be on our best behaviors for you." Spencer laughed some.
"Please, Gods, be on your best behaviors…No embarrassing stories either." Hunter muttered, recalling the first time he had Ashley and her family over for a meal at his house. Gods, it have everyone laughing, but total embarrassment for himself.
"In my defense, most of that was your mother." Spencer countered.
"You were still no help…I mean it, Dad…I really love Nicole and her family. Hell, I'm pretty sure I love her more than I loved Ashley, and that's saying something…" Hunter said.
"I promise, son. Glenn and I will behave." Spencer assured as Hunter nodded, accepting his father's tone as the one he gave when he was being serious and had no ulterior motives. "Do you mean that, Hunter?"
"What?" Hunter asked him.
"That you love Nicole more than you loved Ashley?" Spencer inquired. Hunter nodded to him, no nervousness or anything. Hunter could feel that his love for Nicole was stronger that what he had felt for Ashley. "Hunter…Can I ask what happened between you two?"
Hunter didn't say anything at first, but he sighed heavily and closed his eyes before explaining to his father what happened, and that until just last week; he hadn't even known the real reason. Hunter told his dad that Nicole is the one who overheard the conversation, and revealed the truth to him. It was a little awkward to inform his father about the sexual things, but his dad probably understood better than anyone Hunter could try to talk to about the matter. "So…Yeah, that's everything."
"Well, I have a lot less respect for her now after hearing all that. Especially the unfaithfulness." Spencer remarked. "As for the…Well, you get the direction I'm aiming for. Nicole is right; it wasn't you, son. It was bad for her because it wasn't done with love. And that is what making love is supposed to be, Hunter. Two people making love. Not just screwing to pacify one. Yes, you might have been nervous, but that doesn't matter when two people love one another. It's not about the feeling, it's about the moment. And if she was thinking of someone else, and not really into it, then it was gonna be bad for her no matter what you did. So, I wouldn't be beating yourself up over that." Spencer added. "My first time wasn't with your mother, I was a teenager, like you. It wasn't amazing, felt nice, but not that wow moment that you kids call it these days. No, mine was with your mother, Hunter and that's because we were both in love with one another. Don't worry so much, when you meet the love of your life; it could even end up being Nicole; everything will be fine and you'll see the difference." Hunter nodded, understanding. He guessed it did sound better coming from a male's perspective.
"Thanks, Dad. I'm gonna go invite them over for 5 pm, then figure out what to make and clean a bit." Hunter smiled before he headed out of the room. Yeah, it was awkward to talk about your sex life with your old man, but hey; the advice helped and now he felt a bit better about the fact Ashley didn't think it was amazing. The cheating still didn't feel to good, but only time would tell if Nicole was the love of his life, or if it'd be some other girl. Hunter trusted his father's words about seeing the difference when the time came. Getting into the hall, Hunter got out his phone and texted Nicole.
10:30 am
I was actually hoping you and your parents would accept my invitation to come over at 5 pm, for dinner here?
Hunter headed for the kitchen again, started to scrounge the cupboards for what he could cook that would feed six people. Not more than ten minutes later, Nicole responded.
Milady, 10:40 am
We'd love to! Mom and dad are super excited now. So 5, right?
10:41 am
Yeah, 5. Any allergies in the family?
Milady, 10:41 am
None at all. Well, not to food. Dad is allergic to bees, and mom is allergic to some medication. I think its Penicillin or Amoxicillin.
10:42 am
Got it. I'll see you at 5, Milady. Gonna go clean like crazy now. Love you :heart:
Milady, 10:43 am
Lol, see you at 5, babe. :heart:
Hunter slipped the phone into his pocket and got to work on deciding what could be made. Tonight was going to be great.
. . .
(5:00 pm)
Hunter knew Keith was punctual when it came to meetings, appointments, and needing to be somewhere. Right at 5 pm, Hunter heard a knock on the door. Hunter had cleaned the house top to bottom, even his room. He figured he'd give them a tour, as he kept forgetting to give Nicole one despite them being together three months now. The only place they ever went was his bedroom, so he never bothered with the rest of the home. Hunter went to the door and opened it with a smile.
"Hey, welcome. Come right in, please?" Hunter invited as he stepped aside, giving Nicole a hug and light kiss on her passing. He shook Keith's and Ella's hands before closing the door once they were inside. "Can I take your coats?" He offered. Shedding off their coats, Hunter took all three and hung them in the foyer closet before leading them into the living room. "I'm glad you decided to come." He smiled
"It's an honor to dine with you and your family, Hunter." Ella beamed.
"Yes, we've only been over once and it was just to drop off Nicole." Keith added.
"So, what are we having for dinner, babe?" Nicole giggled.
"That's a surprise, but I promise you'll like it because I know it's one of your many favorites." Hunter chuckled. "Now, as I've neglected to give you one every time you're over…How about a tour?"
"Oh, that'd be lovely!" Ella clapped her hands together.
"Right this way then!" Hunter smiled broadly as he offered his arm to Nicole, she smiled and latched on while Keith and Ella followed. Hunter took them through the whole house, except for bedrooms that were not his own; he did explain who's room it was, though. Spencer and Glenn both came out of their spaces at 5:30 and met the other four in the dining area. "Dad, Uncle Glenn…You remember Nikki's parents, right?"
"Well, I remember them. Your dad was working late that night Nikki came to Addy's birthday party." Glenn said. "Nice to see you both again." He smiled.
"Right, totally forgot about that. Dad, this is Keith and Ella Strondsen, Nicole's parents. Mr. and Mrs. Strondsen, this is my dad, Spencer Haddock." Hunter introduced softly. Spencer shook Keith and Ella's hands.
"Good to finally meet you both. Hunter has told me so much, all good things." Spencer smiled.
"Likewise. Hunter has nothing but good, and sometimes amusing stories about you both." Keith chuckled lightly.
Hunter heard the oven beep at he released his girlfriend with a smile. "Excuse me, Milady; have to get dinner out of the oven. Please, all of you, have a seat. I'll bring dinner right over." Hunter stated. Everyone grabbed a seat as Hunter went to get the pan out of the oven and set it on the stove top with the other sides. Hunter grabbed plates and started serving up the food, guests first and then his godfather and dad. Hunter was last to sit down with his food after he made sure everyone had a drink of their choosing.
"Eee! You made sure tonight's dinner was Chicken Parmesan?!" Nicole squealed in her seat and clapped.
"Now, what kind of boyfriend am I if I don't make my girl's favorite?" Hunter chuckled some.
Nicole stared at what he said. "You made this?"
"Of course, did you think someone else would be cooking if I invited you and your family over?" Hunter asked.
"I didn't know you could cook? All I've see you do is microwaved stuff," Nicole remarked.
"Well, yeah; that's quick and easy for myself or just us. If I've got people coming over for a sit down dinner here at the table; I'll cook." Hunter replied.
"It's divine, Hunter. You got the makings of a chef!" Ella exclaimed.
"Ah, thank you. But as good as I can cook, I prefer hands on building. I plan to become an Engineer." Hunter informed.
"Boy can outcook the whole family," Glenn chuckled. "Taught him everything he knows."
"Don't take all the credit, Glenn. You taught him all he knows about fixin' cars. I taught him how to cook." Spencer reminded.
"Wasn't all you. I taught him soups and stews, you or Val weren't great at them." Glenn rolled his eyes.
"Mom couldn't cook to save anyone's life…" Hunter reminded them both.
"No, she couldn't cook at all." Spencer laughed some. "And we should probably watch how loud we say that lest she strike the house down. You know how she was about it."
"I remember," Hunter nodded, eating a bite. "Pretty sure you got yourself sent to the spare bedroom known as your office a few times for reminding her that she couldn't cook and was only allowed in the kitchen to get drinks or premade snacks…"
"Don't make me have to ground you for being a smart mouth." Spencer muttered.
"What are you gonna ground me from? Basketball? Work? School?" Hunter arched a brow. Spencer when to say something, then stopped. "That's what I thought. You ain't gonna ground me, Dad. You've never had to and won't start now, especially because I'm eighteen and if you pull my house, my rules card; I can move out and you know I could absolutely survive on my own." He chuckled.
"He's got you there, my friend." Glenn laughed. "You and Val didn't raise no lazy idiot."
"I suppose that's true. Now, how about we enjoy the meal?" Spencer smiled.
"An idea we can all agree to." Hunter replied.
Sure enough, everyone started eating and chatting lightly. It was a peaceful evening, the talks were just about everyone's jobs and how lives were going. Spencer always had the most to say being the mayor, but that was a fun topic too as Ella and Keith were very interested in how things were going for Berk; new changes or ideas. By 6:15 pm, everyone was done as Hunter went about cleaning up the table by collecting dishes and putting away leftovers. He even made a plate for Nicole to take home and eat tomorrow after school. Nicole did help Hunter clean up, despite him telling her that she didn't have to being that she was a guest. Nicole argued that she was also his girlfriend and didn't mind helping after he went out of his way to cook one of her favorites, and that he had likely cleaned everything by himself. Spencer and Glenn confirmed that they did nothing to help this evening.
Hunter didn't mind, it was nice for the two of them to do dishes together while the older adults talked. Around 6:45 pm, Hunter brought out dessert, which was another one of Nicole's favorites; Pudding Pie. She mentioned it over Thanksgiving and said she hadn't had it since she was about thirteen and still on Berserker Island. The dessert earned Hunter a big hug and kiss from Nicole and he happily put a smaller take home container aside for her to enjoy at her leisure. Around 8:00 pm, the Strondsen's went home. Nicole was originally going to ask to stay a bit later, but she picked up on Hunter being tired and decided against it. Hunter made sure everything was cleaned up, and by 8:30 pm; he was making sure all his homework was done while texting Nikki a bit. Hunter finished everything up by 9:30 pm before deciding to get some sleep for the night as he didn't want to stay up and be overly exhausted for school in the morning. By 10:00 pm, Hunter was out like a light.
