{Regular POV}
"As long as she's being good, I don't mind what you two do," Harvey said with a smile as he leaned back in the sagging chair of the Dreki Souls Sanctuary break room. Another check in on his three-year-old daughter to make sure she was all right. "I appreciate you doing this for me the last two years, I owe you my life," Harvey stated calmly. "I better go anyway, I'll be home normal time. Tell Kari I love her, see you both around 7:30 pm. Bye now," he ended the called and placed the phone down on the table and locked the screen as Harvey closed his eyes and let out a heavy, drawn out sigh. 'Two whole years, has it been that long since everything happened?' Harvey thought while thinking back to when Karina was a year old and things went unexpectedly bad for him.
~Flashback~
Harvey loved his life fully. Beautiful fiance and one year old daughter. Yes, Harvey bought a $230 engagement ring and proposed to Courtney on the Christmas following Karina's birth. Harvey and Courtney were planning a small wedding for a year later in the Spring time. Courtney was a stay at home mom while Harvey continued to work six days a week from 9 am to 6 pm. Those were his hours now, worked well and made $320 per week which helped with the bills a lot and anything Karina or the house needed. However, Harvey began to notice that Courtney was getting lazier and didn't do much except sit on the couch with her phone. Courtney did minor housework but only things she dirtied, never the rest of it. Harvey planned to sit down and talk to her about it all, he wondered if she was pregnant again because he recalled when they were seventeen, Courtney got distant and quiet at six weeks pregnant.
Harvey didn't mind more kids but they had their hands full with Karina who was just learning to walk, at the moment, the doctor called it couch surfing yet she couldn't walk on her own yet. At work, Harvey did the same thing every day without fail. Arrived, took Toothless for a morning flight to stretch his wings, then Harvey would return and lead the Strike class dragons out of their pens to the Strike field for training them. There were five Skrills now; two adults and three young ones. The idea to get the male and female to mate had worked so the re-populating of the Skrills was going nicely. Also, There were two Triple Stryke's now. A female for the male they already had, and one baby who had been born just two weeks ago. Toothless, was still the only Night Fury that had been seen in one hundred years but if they found another, they hoped it was female so they could repopulate the Night Furies too.
For Harvey, a normal day consisted of waking up to change and feed Karina, by then Courtney would be awake to watch Karina while Harvey showered and got ready for work. Harvey would make a small breakfast for him and Courtney, then he would go to work for his nine hours, come home to a dinner made by his fiance. Harvey would eat, play with Karina, then give her a bath and put her to bed. Harvey would clean up from supper, then watch some TV with Courtney but she'd always be on her phone and not paying attention lately, finally, the two would go to bed around 10:45 pm. That was it, every day. On Harvey's off day, it would be cleaning the trailer, shopping, and spending all his time with Karina while Courtney was at DSS to be with Mirage, her Changewing.
Harvey suspected that today would be no different than any other day since Karina turned eight months old, that's when Courtney began to change and Harvey wasn't too sure if he like it or not. Karina was now thirteen months old, Harvey was nineteen and Courtney turning nineteen in three weeks as it was the beginning of July and her birthday was towards the end. Harvey still wondered to this day how everyone in Berk was doing, especially his parents. If Harvey and Courtney had stayed in Berk, they would have just graduated high school in June. Interesting to think about, right? Either way, Harvey was happy and couldn't wait to get home to see his fiance and daughter.
At 6 pm, Harvey clocked out and headed home, he would get there around 6:30 with the walking and bus ride. Harvey reached his and Courtney's small mobile home and all he heard was Karina's crying. Fear filling him, Harvey rushed in to see the trailer a mess. Unfolded clothes on the couch, mixed with the clean ones too. Dishes overfilling the sink, food from last night still on the stove, the TV on, things that had spilled on the floor, and Courtney asleep on the couch. Ignoring all that, he went to Karina's room. It was something Courtney and him did when Karina was six months old, they converted the master room into Karina's room with a door while Courtney and Harvey would sleep on the folding tabled that could be covered by couch cushions as their bed.
Harvey put his hand on the handle and saw that the lock had been flipped on. Why was Karina locked in her room!? Harvey opened the door to see Karina laying in her crib, screaming and crying. "Kari," Harvey said softly as he walked inside to see his daughter still in her pajama's from last night, also that they were clearly soiled and Harvey could tell Karina hadn't been changed in at least five hours by the smell and seeing it dry. Something else he noticed as that Karina's arms and legs were red, like a rash. Through the hard crying, Harvey heard persistant coughing and it only made him worry more as he picked Karina up and felt the fever.
"There, there. It's all right now baby girl. Dadd is here now, let's get you changed up, okay?" Harvey tried but Karina wasn't having it. Harvey got his phone out and turned the camera on, Karina always loved to play with it hence all the cracks and scruff marks on it. Karina settled slightly while holding the phone as Harvey got her out of the dirty clothes and diaper, he saw the rash was everywhere on her. Harvey ran his daughter a bath and cleaned her up, changed the diaper and put fresh clothes on her. Karina was still crying through it all and coughing a lot, he didn't like it. Harvey moved into the main area while trying to soothe Karina.
"COURTNEY!" Harvey said loud enough for his fiance to wake up. Courtney sat up fast hearing his tone, "Why the hell was Kari locked in her room and hasn't been changed in hours? Why weren't you trying to calm her down? How long has she been crying like that and coughing like this?" Harvey demanded while rubbing Karina's back.
"I-I don't know, Harvey. She's been miserable all day so I put her down for a nap and then I feel asleep out here around 4," Courtney replied.
"Why on earth would you put her down for a nap at 4 in the afternoon? She goes to bed at 7:30 pm. So you have no idea how long she's been screaming for? For Odin's sake, she was sitting in dried shit and piss. When was the last time you changed her? Karina has a fever, and covered in a rash. Did you know any of this?" Harvey asked.
"I just figured she was getting sick and needed to sleep," Courtney said. "And I changed her at 2pm,"
"It is almost 7 pm and you haven't changed her in five hours?! You still have to take care of her, Court! What is with the house looking like this, we just cleaned everything top to bottom on Sunday, two days ago. It shouldn't look like this," Harvey scolded.
"Stop yelling at me, Harvey. It's not my fault I'm here all day by myself! I get no help from you," Courtney argued.
"I'M WORKING ALL DAY. Six fucking days a week, busting my ass to take care of you and Karina. Making sure we have food in this house, the roof over our heads, the cell phone you spend more time on than with me, your fiance. I'm sorry I can't afford a car for us to use, we don't have the money. This is our life, Courtney, the one we chose to live after you got pregnant. Remember? This is the life we live now, I'm sorry it's not perfect like back in Berk when you had everything but I'm doing the best I can! Now, I'm going to take Karina to the hospital because I don't like the rash or high fever. When I get back, we'll finish talking about this. Can you please just tidy this place up a bit for me, I'll be back soon." Harvey asked as he gave Karina her pacifier then loaded her into the baby carrier before leaving the trailer with her.
(Hospital; Two Hours Later)
"I assure you, Mr. Andarsen, your little girl is going to be fine. After all the observations and tests, her coughing is due to developing Asthma. Nothing serious and can be treated with Albuterol breathing treatments," the emergency room doctor explained. "Also she has a slight ear infection,"
"And the rash and fever?" Harvey asked curiously while holding a now sleeping Karina in his arms while she laid against his chest.
"I suspect the fever and ear infection is due to her teething, its very uncomfortable for them. As for the rash, it's a reaction to something. Perhaps a new laundry soap or bath lotion," the doctor smiled at him while handing over three pieces of paper. "These three are for prescriptions. A Nebulizer and face mask, then one for the Albuterol. Half the dosage of it, twice a day. Best of morning and before bed. And the last is for the ear infection, that should clear up in a few days. For the fever, children's tylonel should do the trick. Aside that, she is good to go,"
"Thank you, Doctor," Harvey smiled with relief, his little girl was okay. Harvey signed the release slip as he loaded Karina back into the carseat and left the hospital to catch the next bus back to his stop after going to the pharmacy to fill the prescriptions.
(Harvey's Trailer)
"Court, I'm back. Kari is okay and sleeping," Harvey said softly as he placed Karina's carseat on the table for now so she could sleep. No answer, the trailer was quiet. Sharpshot was sleeping on one of the bunkbeds near the bathroom, but Dawnfire wasn't with him and the two always slept together. Odd. Harvey checked knocked on the bathroom door, no answer there. The trailer wasn't that big, where the hell could she have gone in two hours. The house was clean as he had asked her to do. Dishes washed and drying on the counter, stove and microwave wiped down, spills cleaned, and laundry folded on the couch. All of it was done, that saved him some work. Harvey figured she went for a walk or maybe to DSS to see Mirage.
Harvey pulled out his phone and called his boss, the man always stayed until 9 pm. "Hey boss, sorry to bother you. Is Courtney there by chance?" A slight pause as he sighed, nope, she wasn't there either or at least not anymore. "Hm? Oh, nothing. We got into an argument earlier and now I can't locate her. She left her phone on the counter, see you tomorrow. Thanks, bye." Harvey put his phone away. Courtney had been there around 7:30, she went for a with Mirage but no one has seen her since. Harvey changed the sheets in Karina's crib, then laid her down in there after taking her out the the carseat. As Harvey came back out, he moved the carseat and saw something on the table that had been under the seat. A note.
Harvey,
If you're reading this, then I'm not in the city anymore. Our argument opened my eyes to a lot of things and while I do love you, I can't do this anymore. It's not you, please don't think that. I realized tonight that I miss my old life. My parents, my friends. Everything I gave up to have that baby, and I don't want to spend the rest of my life married in a trailer park as a stay at home mom. I want to be able to go to college, party, have fun again. I won't agree to joint cutsody, Karina is all yours. I just want to pretend it never happened so when I get back to Berk, I'm just going to tell everyone that I got bold and wanted to experience life outside Berk but didn't like it so came home. I won't mention I was ever with you, that I got pregnant by you. No one will know anything. I'm sorry, Harv. Hope you can forgive me one day. The ring is with Sharpshot, my phone on the counter by the fridge. I took Dawnfire and Mirage with me. I love you. -Courtney
By the end of the note, Harvey felt a tear slip down his cheek while the note fell from his hands and he went to Sharpshot to confirm what Courtney said, sure enough, his small green dragon had the ring wrapped up with him. Harvey held the ring as he just sat down with closed eyes. Courtney left him, left Karina. Courtney walked out on them because she wanted her old life back. Harvey didn't know what to do right now, he just became a single father and he needed to figure out how to take care of his daughter alone.
~End Flashback~
"Harvey?" he heard someone say his name but was still coming out of the flashback, "Harvey!" That time, Harvey made out the voice as his boss's, Clinton.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Shaw. I was just...remembering two years ago," Harvey admitted with his head down.
"Don't worry about it, lad. I know that was a tough time for you and little Karina, and it wasn't right for her to walk out on you two. There were other ways to end things if she wasn't happy," Mr. Shaw patted his shoulder, "Come with me a moment, I'd like to talk to you about something," he added. Harvey got up and followed Clinton to his office then took a seat at Mr. Shaw's motion to do so. "I received a request from one of the dragon specialty universities to see if I had any trainers to take over as head dragon trainer. The requirements were on time, professional, firm, good at teaching, and knows everything there is to know about dragons. My first thought was you, Harvey,"
Harvey's eyes widened slightly, "Me? I've...only been here for three years sir, I'm sure someone else would be better for the position,"
"Aye, but you are the only one of them all who can work with the Strike class dragons and have a way with all dragons that the rest of them don't. If you accept the job, you are the head dragon trainer and working mainly with the third and fourth years. There are assistant trainers who take care of the others but you would be in charge of the dragons on the field work. Training, riding, all that. You can live on campus in the staff quarters, and there is a daycare for Karina. You would be paid a great deal more than you get here. $1,300 weekly, plus vacation time and benefits. I told them I would let them know by Friday. Will you at least consider it?" Clinton asked handing Harvey the small set of papers with all the information.
"I'll consider it and let you know Thursday night. Thanks, mind if I cut out early today? Not feeling so great," Harvey asked.
"Go on home. See you tomorrow," Clinton smiled, Harvey nodded as he left the office then clocked out and left the building to get to the bus stop.
(Happy Homes)
Harvey made it home in half an hour as always, he entered the trailer to see Heather sitting on the floor with Karina playing blocks.
"Daddy! You home early," Karina exclaimed as she got up and made her way into his arms. Harvey kissed her and gave a tight hug.
"Hello, beautiful. Have you been good for Heather?" Harvey asked as Karina nodded her head up and down with a wide smile. "Good girl. Go on and play while I talk to her, okay?" Harvey placed Karina down and then Heather stood to greet him.
"Home early I see," Heather smiled. Yes, when Heather heard about Courtney leaving Harvey she decided to step up to help him. Heather quit her job at DSS to be a babysitter for Karina although, Kari basically saw her as an aunt. Harvey was indebted to Heather for offering to take care of Karina while he worked his long days. Harvey paid Heather $150 a week for doing it for him and she lived there too, in her own trailer of course.
"Clinton offered me a huge position today," Harvey sighed sitting at the table.
"Oh?" Heather arched a brow.
"Head dragon trainer for a university. Live on campus in staff quarters, daycare for Kari, $1,300 a week. Pretty sure I'm allowed to take Toothless and Sharpshot too. Read some of this on the bus ride home, I'll get vacation time, personal days, sick days, and benefits," Harvey explained.
"That's an amazing offer, Harvey! I hope you took it," Heather exclaimed.
"I told Clinton I had to think about it and would let him know on Thursday," Harvey muttered.
"Oh my Gods, why are you hesitating. The pay is twice what you make at the sanctuary, and benefits, a daycare, living on campus. Why didn't you say yes right away?!" Heather demanded.
"Because of the school I would be trainer at," Harvey showed her the packet, "Berktown University,"
"Your old hometown that you haven't been back to since leaving with Courtney in 2016," Heather said with a frown.
"It's the only university in Berk, Heather. I know for a fact people who know me are attending that college and will end up being my students. I don't want to tell them everything, I know Courtney didn't. She put it all behind her, acting like nothing happened. I don't know if I can do this," Harvey closed his eyes.
"Harvey, listen to me. All that other stuff aside, you have the chance to have a better job with better pay that allows you a place to live and keep Karina taken care of while you work in the same place. Most of all, this give you the opportunity to have a better life for you and her," Heather said while motioning to Karina. "You have been struggling since you got this place, Kari can't grow up in a place like this. Take the chance to give her a better life, and teach her to always strive for the best available,"
Harvey looked at her now, Heather was right. This trailer home was no place for Karina to grow up in and if Harvey took the job, he could give her so much more. Karina could go to daycare, something useful for her while Harvey worked and made more money to take care of them, plus he could have his dragons with him and live on campus. Harvey felt he would be stupid to pass up this chance just because it would be happening in a place he didn't want to go back to out of fear what others would think of him, why should he care? His parents were never home and he only had two friends in the entire school and neighborhood. That was his past and Karina was his present and future, everything he did was for her.
"You're right, Heather," Harvey finally said.
"Ignore what others will think and say. This is your life, yours and Karina's. Do right by her. Besides, you will be the teacher and don't have to answer to them. I'll even come with you, this says they are looking for assistant trainers. I can be an assistant for you," Heather giggled while flipping through the papers about the job.
"You'd give up your life here for me?" Harvey asked.
"You and Karina. She's like a niece to me, and you a brother but also a best friend. No way I'd leave you hanging," Heather grinned.
"Thank you. I'll tell Clinton tomorrow that I'm taking the job and go from there I guess," Harvey shrugged.
"Good. I'm going to head home so you can have some time with Kari. See you tomorrow at the normal time?" Heather inquired.
"You got it. Have a good night," Harvey said as Heather left the trailer to go to hers. Harvey got on the floor with Karina to play with her and the blocks. So he was about to have a new job back in Berk, he wondered what would happen when people he used to know saw him again. It didn't matter, Heather was right. Harvey would be their teacher and they had to listen to him. Maybe his life was finally turning around because of this offer.
