Somehow during Harvey's break down on the floor, Heather managed to get him up and on the couch where he continued to cry and then it turned into soft whimpers, sniffling before he ended up going quiet and falling asleep against Heather's shoulder. Heather laid him down slowly and covered him up so he could rest. It was hard for her to see him in such a state; three years later and still hurting as much as the day it happened. Heather went around the dorm and picked things up for Harvey, she saw the pictures he'd pulled out of himself and Courtney together when they began living in the trailer home, then ones taken after Karina was born. Harvey had been remembering what it was like back then before Courtney walked out and it had a lot to do with the break down, plus him having the ring still. Harvey had held onto it all in the event Courtney came back, so they could pick up where it stopped and for three years, there was nothing heard from Courtney or a sign she would come back until today.

Heather expected at this time, the students were on Courtney's ass to tell them what happened between her and Harvey. So far, all they knew was that Courtney was the girl that Harvey loved enough to want to marry, and that Karina was Harvey and Courtney's daughter until she walked out on them. The story of what happened was easy enough to figure out, but it always sounded better coming from the people it involved. Heather had a feeling that Courtney wasn't going to tell them anything because she was too upset from being yelled at by Heather over how much she hurt Harvey and now Courtney had heard that pain first hand when Heather talked to him on the phone and then she rushed off to make sure Harvey was all right.

Heather glanced at the clock to see the time as 2:57 pm, which meant from the time Heather raced to get to him when she heard how upset he was to now, Harvey had broken down for about an hour straight because Harvey left the field around 1:40, and the walk to staff dorms was only ten minutes. With a dragon, it was closer to four minutes. Heather knew this could get worse, the month was only March and still three to go until the end of the second semester and Harvey could have the summer away from Courtney. However, Harvey was supposed to be their teacher for fourth year too, that meant September 2021 to June 2022 of being around Courtney again. It was hard for Harvey to be around her, especially now that he knew Courtney regretted her choice to walk out.

A vibration in her pocket brought Heather from her thoughts of how to help Harvey through all this; Heather glanced at the screen to see the ID come up as Dominic. Heather sighed as she stepped outside the dorm room but put something between the door and frame so it wouldn't lock shut and she could hear if Karina or Harvey woke up. Heather flipped open the phone and put it to her ear. "Hi, Dom. What's up?" she asked.

"Is Harvey okay?" Dominic inquired gently.

"He broke down, cried for an hour, and then fell asleep on the couch," Heather replied.

"Did he hurt himself?" came Ford's voice.

"No, he didn't, but he might have if I didn't get here when I did. It was just like when Courtney left him, I found him on the floor against the wall and crying," Heather informed closing her eyes.

"Safe to assume we probably won't be seeing him for a while and you'll be training us in his absence?" Dominic questioned.

"I'm not sure. I'm only an assistant trainer to Harvey, and he does know more than me about dragons. I was only the Sharp-class trainer at the sanctuary, Harvey worked with them all. He won't take a lot of time off, he's still the head trainer and uses the pay from this job to take care of Kari," I reminded.

"Will he be able to handle it? Being around Courtney? Is that what caused the breakdown?" Dominic wondered.

"I'm not sure if he will be able to handle it. As I said, we didn't talk. Harvey broke down and fell asleep to what I suspect is emotional exhaustion," Heather responded.

"I take it that he probably won't want to talk about what happened, will he?" that was Tyler's voice.

"Likely not but I can't speak for him. Also, you could go ask Courtney; she knows what happened." Heather remarked a little coldly.

"After she had put her dragon away, we tried to ask her, and she just said she wanted to be alone. I went to the dorm, and she wasn't there," Ashlyn stated.

"Good. I'm glad she now understands how much it hurts Harvey," Heather scoffed and then heard Karina beginning to wake up, "Look, I gotta go for now. Kari is waking up from her nap and Harvey's still sleeping. I'll let you know before tomorrow how class is going to go,"

"All right sis. Talk to you later," Dominic said as Heather lowered the phone and ended the call before placing it in her pocket and going back in Harvey's dorm to get Karina and keep an eye on her until Harvey woke up and Heather could talk to him.

(A Few Hours Later)

Harvey woke up slow and with a pounding headache, he sat up to see Heather and Karina coloring together on the floor. Harvey's eyes moved to the clock and saw that it was 5:45 pm.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Heather asked softly while Karina got up and walked to her father, so Harvey picked her up and hugged her.

"Not sure how I should feel after earlier," Harvey admitted.

"Understandable. I canceled your classes for today because I was worried about you," Heather said.

"Anyone ask why?" Harvey inquired.

"I just said it was a personal matter, and I might have gone off on Courtney about how much she hurt you," Heather stated as Harvey sighed.

"You told her, didn't you? That I got low for a while," Harvey looked down.

"I'm sorry, Harv, but she needed to know. I told you I wasn't going to let her off easy if I ever got the chance to tell her how much she hurt you. Apparently now, she has asked the others to leave her alone, and Ashlyn said Courtney wasn't in their dorm," Heather told him.

"She's sitting in Mirage's stable," Harvey replied. "And I'm not upset you told her, I could have done with the rest not knowing, though," he added.

"I didn't say everything, just the part where I and the others found you blacked out drunk on the couch and called everyone over for intervention," Heather elaborated on what she told the others. "So what happens now, with classes?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I was handling things fine, being around her every day and what not. Sure it hurt, but I managed until today when she said all that stuff about wanting to come back. I know she wants me back, and Thor knows I'd love to be able to say yes. But I just can't forgive that it took three years for her to say those words," Harvey responded.

"Can you stand two hours Monday through Friday being near her?" Heather questioned.

"In truth, no. However, I can't just bail in the middle of the year either. I'll take a few days to get myself together, then go back to teaching them for the remainder of this year," Harvey replied calmly.

"And next year?" Heather inquired looking at him.

"I'm undecided if I will return next year," Harvey admitted. Harvey knew he needed to get over Courtney, as much as he loved her, he had to let go. Harvey waited three years to hear Courtney tell him she regretted her choice, and he would have taken her back if not for the fact that it did take her three years. How could Harvey take her back knowing that Courtney regretted her choice the moment she got into Berk but chose to stay away? Harvey couldn't bring himself to do it and that left him the only other option. It wouldn't be easy but Harvey knew that he had to let go and move on in life.

(Saturday)

Heather handled Harvey's classes the remainder of the week since the third years were just working on staying balanced on their dragons while in the air. The fourth years were working on calming down wild dragons, that was all things that Heather could teach them but it would be up to Harvey to do the rest. Courtney never said a word in class, and Ashlyn made mention that Courtney didn't return to the dorm until after midnight but she would go right to sleep and be gone before Ashlyn woke up. Harvey spent the off time in the dorm with Karina, thinking about things and figuring out what to do about next year. Did he want to stay and teach? Absolutely. This job provided daycare, benefits, good pay, and he got to do what he loved most; working with dragons.

The question was if he could handle staying and being around Courtney another school year. Harvey wanted to move on in life, but how could he when his past was always with him? Harvey also was trying to decide if he should tell the others about what happened. Harvey knew they wanted to know, Heather mentioned it to him. Harvey wasn't sure if he was ready to bring all that pain back so soon. Today was Saturday, Heather was spending time with Dominic and most of the students were at home for the weekend. Heather also made mention on Friday after the third year class was over that Harvey would be back Monday morning and for them not to given him a hard time about what happened. Heather warned them that it would be best to not even bring it up because it would either set Harvey off in anger or another break down.

"Dada?" Karina said which snapped Harvey from his daze and he smiled at her.

"What's up princess?" Harvey asked as he picked her up and sat her on his lap.

"I wanna see Owen, can he come over and pway?" Kari inquired.

"Well, Owen's mom is one of my students, and it's against the rules for a student to be in teacher rooms," Harvey tried to explain.

"But I'm bored," Karina pouted. Harvey sighed a little; it was boring for Karina to just be in the dorm with him the last few days while he got his head together for work on Monday. Ellie wasn't allowed in Harvey's dorm and vice-versa. How did he make this work?

"Give daddy a minute, okay?" Harvey told her and Kari got off his lap and Harvey got up while pulling out his phone and pulling up Ellie's name from his contacts, the pressed the message button as it brought up the text message screen as he typed out; ~R u bsy 2day? -Harvey~ After a minute or so, he got a reply and opened it.

~No. Parents r away, sister having sleepover. Y? -Ellie~

~I was thinking of takin Kari to park for picnic. She wants 2 see Owen, so wld u like 2 join? -Harvey~

~We'd b happy to. What time & should I bring anything? -Ellie~

~Cool. 11:15 ok w/u? We can take my truck. Give kids time to play b4 eatin. If Owen wants to bring a few toys, he can. I'm gonna let Kari do the same. -Harvey~

~Sounds good. Meet u in prkg lot then :) -Ellie~

Harvey put his phone away, "Kari, want to go to the park with Owen and Ellie for a picnic?"

"YES!" Kari cheered happily as Harvey chuckled and nodded. Harvey checked the time; it was 10:35 am right now, so he had time to whip up some sandwiches, grab a few water bottles, sodas, juice boxes, and snacks before it was time to go.

"Why don't you grab some small toys? Owen is bringing some too," Harvey suggested to her and Kari grabbed her little backpack and began to pack things as Harvey got to work on the food and drinks.

(Berktown Community Park)

As planned, Harvey and Karina met Owen and Ellie in the University parking lot and loaded up in Harvey's truck, and he drove them to the park. The kids were very excited, and Ellie thanked Harvey for inviting them along. Harvey told her no problem. When they arrived, Harvey parked, and they filed out and began looking for a spot to set up the blanket.

"We should try to find a place that's in the sun but shade too," Ellie offered.

"What about over there by that tree? It looks like it has both," Harvey pointed to a large tree that had some shade and sun spots. "And the toddler playground is in eye sight too,"

"Perfect," Ellie smiled as they made their way over and set down the blanket then used a few rocks to hold down the corners. Harvey placed down the basket with food, then the small cooler full of drinks.

"All right, you two can go play on the playground over there. Just be careful okay?" Harvey stated as Kari and Owen held hands and rushed off. The playground wasn't far, a minute or two walk that Ellie or Harvey could get to if their kids needed them for any reason. Harvey and Ellie sat on the blanket quietly, watching Owen and Karina on the swings.

"It's such a beautiful day for a picnic," Ellie said.

"I agree. Kari has been cooped up in the dorm with me since last Monday; she missed seeing Owen in daycare," Harvey responded.

"Monday wasn't a very good day, understandable that you wanted her close," Ellie smiled a little. "Heather mentioned you were coming back in two days,"

"It is my job to teach all of you. I can't shirk my responsibilities over personal matters no matter how much is sucks that my ex-fiance happens to be my student," Harvey replied softly.

"Courtney is a good student, though, top of the class," Ellie informed.

"Who do you think helped her bond with her dragon? Courtney knows how to fly her dragon; I taught her. The training was new for her; she only trained Mirage and her Terrible Terror, Dawnfire. Next year won't be so easy for her," Harvey sighed.

"So, the class is just a review for her, but she has to take it to get the permits for training and flying?" Ellie asked.

"To a degree. Courtney could go out for her flying license at any time if she went to the board and took the test as I did, she would still have to attend the classes for a trainer," Harvey enlightened.

"Ah. All that aside, how are you doing with everything?" Ellie questioned gently. "We sort of heard your break down that day," she added as Harvey looked at her quickly, "Heather put it on speakerphone before she rushed off to make sure you were okay,"

"Of course she did," Harvey muttered, "Heather was trying to make a point to Courtney about how much it hurt me when she left,"

"I think the point got made. Courtney hasn't spoken to anyone in days, she comes to class and does the work but won't talk. Ashlyn said that most nights, Courtney doesn't come home until after midnight and then gone the next morning and we only see her in classes. Rest of the time, we don't know where she is," Ellie said.

"Stables with Mirage and Dawnfire," Harvey informed.

"How do you know that?" Ellie asked.

"Gobber let me know one of my students was crying in her dragon's stall, I told him that it was okay and to let her be. Courtney's hiding out there to avoid having to tell everyone what happened. She knows in classes, it's class time, and they won't hound her about why she lied to them," Harvey stated.

"You still love her, don't you?" Ellie smiled sympathetically, and Harvey nodded, "But you can't forgive that she chose to stay away for so long after realizing she regretted her choice?"

"I'm sure that I could forgive her. Every bit of my heart screams to take her back, but then I remember she walked out instead of talking to me and after regretting the decision, she stayed away. Battle of the heart and mind, if that makes sense," Harvey looked at Ellie now.

"It does. Your love for her feeds the heart to want her back but and your mind forces you to remember that she left and then chose to stay away against her desires from what I understand is fear that you wouldn't want to see her after what she did. That sum it up?" Ellie asked.

"In a nutshell, yeah. I just don't know what to do. Should I forgive her or let her go?" Harvey questioned.

"Our situations aren't so different. My ex did the same thing. When I talked to my friend about it, they made me listen to a song that helped me, and I think it will help you too," Ellie said as she got her phone and found the song. "It's from a girl's point of view, but I think you'll catch the message it sends." then she played it through, and Harvey listened to it. A song about a girl who was so in love with a guy who turned out to be a liar and when he asked if the girl would give him another chance, she said no. Ellie turned it off as Harvey looked at her.

"You didn't forgive your ex?" Harvey asked.

Ellie sighed but gave a smile, "No. No I did not. A few months after he walked out, he tried to come back to be in mine and Owen's lives again. I was happy because I loved him and had been dreaming about it ever since he left but then I remembered that he abandoned me after Owen was diagnosed with epilepsy and left me to raise our son alone. When I was faced with taking him back or letting go, I had to think about Owen. His father walked out when we both needed him, and my biggest fear was that if something else came up, he would just bail again and I didn't want Owen to suffer that hurt. As much as I loved him, I couldn't forgive him and I had to let him go to do what was best for Owen,"

Harvey thought about Ellie's words silently as he heard Karina laughing and having fun with Owen on the playscape, pretending they were flying dragons. Harvey wondered what it would be like for Courtney to come back, be in his and Karina's lives again. Harvey had prayed for it all this time, and now he had the chance to take her back and have that life. However, Ellie's words rang in his mind. Ellie let her ex go and didn't forgive him for Owen's sake, because she feared that the guy would just leave again. Hearing it in that perspective, Harvey understood why the choice was so difficult to make.

Taking Courtney back would make him happy, but then how confused would Karina be? How could Harvey explain to Karina that Courtney was her mother? What did Harvey do if Karina asked why her mother wasn't around until now? And perhaps the biggest question of all; what did Harvey do if Karina got used to having her mother around and then something made Courtney leave again. It wasn't just his happiness he had to think about, it was Karina's too. Harvey was hurt, still hurting from what Courtney did. How hurt would Karina be if her mother walked out on them a second time? Harvey couldn't do that to his daughter.

Ellie was right. A parent made every sacrifice for their child's happiness. Harvey couldn't do it. Harvey did love Courtney, part of him always would but Courtney made her choice to stay away in fear, and now Harvey was doing the same. The fear of his daughter getting hurt and Harvey wouldn't let that happen, so he had to let Courtney go for the sake of his daughter.

"Harvey? Are you okay?" Ellie asked.

"I won't risk Karina's happiness. If Courtney had come back right away after leaving, maybe then I would have taken her back. But Kari is almost four now, and Courtney returning would only confuse her. As you said, the fear of something making her leave again; I can't do that to Karina. It won't be easy, and it's going to hurt for a while, but I'm going to let Courtney go. I know I will be okay as long as Kari is," Harvey stated.

"That's how I saw it too. Owen's happiness is all that matters to me. Maybe one day I will meet someone else who wants to love me and my son, but for now, if he's happy then so am I," Ellie said. "I'm glad he and Karina get along so well, Owen had a hard time making friends in other daycares,"

"Kari was afraid no one would like her. It seems that Owen and her are best friends, I suppose that means we'll be hanging out a lot more. That's fine with me, at least its someone who understands what I've been through as a single parent. I want to thank you, Ellie. I almost took Courtney back until you showed me something a different view," Harvey admitted.

"I'm with you on the understanding what I've been through. I don't mind hanging out; it's nice to have someone to talk with. I'm glad I was able to help, Harvey, and if you need anything then don't hesitate to ask. We all need a little help sometimes," Ellie smiled at him, and Harvey smiled back, first real one in days too. "Well, I think we should call the kids over and eat. I wouldn't want it to go to waste," she added.

"I couldn't agree more. KARI! OWEN! Time for lunch!" Harvey called out as both kids hurried over to the blanket while Ellie and Harvey began to hand out sandwiches and drinks to them, then some for themselves. Harvey didn't know what it was, but he felt an enormous weight be lifted off his shoulders after talking to Ellie about thing. Initially, he didn't want to talk about Courtney or anything that happened on Monday. Yet, Harvey found that it was very easy to talk to Ellie and he honestly felt better after doing so. Harvey enjoyed the fact Ellie and him were friends and their children were best friends, and Harvey could admit that he liked hanging out and talking to Ellie.

However, the biggest moment about today was that Harvey had decided what he was going to do. Harvey would not take Courtney back, perhaps one day he would forgive her, but he would never forget. And Harvey made other decisions too. One, he was going to stay as the trainer through next year. Harvey loved his job, and he wasn't going to quit just because Courtney was there. The second decision; he was telling the others the truth that Courtney hid from them. Harvey knew it was time for the truth to come out, he had to tell them. Harvey felt like if he did this, it would be the first step in letting Courtney go and moving on with his and Karina's life.