Finals were over, and they were awaiting their grades to be posted online and then find out if their midterm and final average grade was enough to get them in to take their permit tests with the board of dragon affairs. According to Harvey, their grades would be up within three days of taking their finals, which meant by today they would know who was going to be eligible for their permit tests. Harvey worked hard to get them ready despite all the side tracked issues with everyone wanting to know the truth of where he went and why he disappeared in October 2016. With all that out of the way, things were much easier to deal with in class as the students were focusing on their training rather than him.
Courtney and Harvey's arrangement was going well, every night Courtney would come to Harvey's dorm to spend time with Karina. It might have only been a few hours a night, but that's how Harvey wanted it. Courtney had a lot of making up to do, and Harvey wanted it done slowly so Karina could get used to having her mother around but also play on the safe side if Courtney decided to get a boyfriend and start spending more time with him rather than Kari. Harvey didn't want his little girl to be hurt, and this was his way of protecting her, plus, he warned Courtney what would happen if she hurt Kari and Harvey was a man of his word.
Ellie and Harvey talked all the time through text messages or sometimes a conversation on the phone, trying to plan a time they could go out and talk about things regarding them and a possible relationship. The problem was that Ellie had a hard time finding a babysitter because of Owen's medical conditions, and Ellie admitted that she trusted Heather to watch him so Harvey was trying to see if he could get Heather to watch both kids for just a few hours. First, he had to finish grading the written finals and get them posted before today was over. Since the final was split into two parts, it worked the same way very much as figuring out who would go on to the permit test. The written final and demonstration grades would be added together and divided by two to get the average.
More fun that took place back at the end of May was Karina's fourth birthday which was held at Veronica and Stuart's house. Harvey did invite his third years to come, Courtney didn't show, but that was okay by Harvey because his parents weren't too happy with her for bailing on him. Harvey's fourth years were all done and taking their licensing test sometime this week, so all he had to worry about were the third years, thankfully there was only ten of them left, and it was the ten he knew well. The current time was 4:30 pm, his fourth years were practicing for their licensing and Heather was keeping an eye on them so Harvey could finish grading and get the grades posted then send the e-mail to them so they would know. Harvey continued to look over exams, some weren't looking so promising and hoped when he figured out the average, it would bring them up enough to pass.
"Almost done, Harv?" Heather asked.
"Yeah, three left," Harvey replied to her as Heather nodded and turned back to her work. Another fifteen minutes passed, and he placed the exams down with a heavy sigh. The rest of this was just simple math and entering the information on the computer. More time passed as 5 pm hit and the fourth years left while Heather came over beside him to watch.
"You and Ellie talk today?" Heather inquired with a smile.
"We've texted a few times but otherwise, no. We're planning to go out after finals are over if she can find a sitter," Harvey answered.
"I can watch the kids; you know that. You two have been putting this off for a month," Heather reminded.
"Well, in case you forgot, I also had to get them ready for finals. Plus the arrangement I have with Courtney to see Kari has kept me busy most nights," Harvey stated while opening his laptop and logging into the teacher's section for graded assignments or tests, then he selected the class to post for and began filling in the grades for their final exam for each student. Harvey entered a grade for the written, the demonstration, and then the final average of both of those. Harvey would give them their overall year grade verbally tomorrow, the score that would tell them if they were going to their permit exam or not.
"I know, I just want to see you happy, Harv. You've denied yourself that for so long," Heather said lightly.
"What choice did I have? I'm a single father and had to work my ass off to keep Karina, I didn't have time to worry about moving on and on that, I honestly couldn't," Harvey sighed a little.
"What do you mean?" Heather asked, "You chose to hang on to that hope Courtney would come back,"
"Because I loved her, Heather. I suppose a part of me will continue to love her because we have Karina, our daughter. Courtney and I will probably always be in each other's lives for the sake of letting Karina have two parents who love her. Kari understands that Courtney and I aren't together but we care about her and that seems to be enough. In truth, I don't believe I would have ever seen past Courtney if it weren't for Ellie explaining things the way she did. Ellie helped me see the bigger picture of Courtney and I being together again, and that was the fear she could leave just as she did the first time. I held on to the hope for so long that when it finally happened, I realized how many years it took Courtney to tell me she regretted her decision and after that...I guess I just couldn't let it go that she chose to stay away on a mere assumption," Harvey explained.
"Makes sense when you put it like that. Still, though, take Ellie out this Friday night. Go to dinner and talk about things, I can watch the kids. Just tell me if you want me to let Courtney over while you're not there?" Heather mentioned.
"Are you going to behave yourself with her? I already got yelled at once for you going off on Courtney that day," Harvey glanced over as Heather nervously chuckled and rubbed the back of her head.
"I said all I needed to that day; I'll behave," Heather assured.
"Then yes, Courtney can come over," Harvey said as he finished entering grades and submitted them then sent the e-mail before closing his laptop and packing up his things to go get Karina from daycare and enjoy the rest of the night.
(Next Day)
Harvey spent his few hours dealing with Courtney in his dorm that night, he texted Ellie the whole time, and they decided to go out Friday night at 6 pm to dinner so they could talk. Heather was watching Owen and Karina. Also, Harvey told Courtney that Heather would be the one she had to sit with on Friday night to see Karina since and Ellie were going out. Courtney didn't argue as if she could. Now it was the next day, Harvey had to give his third years their overall grade for the year. The time was 1 pm as his students reached the field and stood before him as he instructed them to do in an e-mail.
"All right, I know by now you've all seen your finals grades. I have your final grade for the year, so when I call your name, you are to come up, and I will show you yours unless you want me to say it out loud, up to you," Harvey addressed them.
"We don't mind them being out loud, and we don't know our finals grades because the student section was down for maintenance. Still is because we tried at lunch," Ashlyn replied after they looked at one another to discuss it silently for a moment.
"Very well then. I'll give you your finals grade and then year score. Alphabetical order; Ellie Agoarsen, ninety-nine for finals. End of the year, ninety-three. Courtney Bogsven, eighty-three finals, ninety for overall. Dominic DeRange, ninety for finals, eighty-nine overall score. Ashlyn Hofferson, finals was a ninety making your year score a ninety-two. Ford Ingerman, eighty-eight on finals and ninety average for the year. Syrus Jorgenson, eighty on your final and eighty-two average. Andrew Kingston, finals is eighty-six, eighty-eight year average. Rylee Thorston, eighty-two final and average for the year is an eighty-one. Lastly, Tyler Thorston. Eighty on your finals and eighty for the end of the year average. I believe you all know what those scores mean, you will be moving on to take your permit tests," Harvey said firmly.
The ten students smiled wide and cheered excitedly, they all passed! "Congratulations," Heather praised.
"Now, if I'm not mistaken your permit test will be held at the Dragon Affairs central office in Arc City on Thursday at 10 am. There will be a bus to take you at 7:30 am to the location. I advise you to study up all you can between now and then, if you need any assistance in particular areas then feel free to see me," Harvey offered.
"Thank you, Mr. Haddock," the students replied together.
"The board will send me your results next week; I will let you know when by e-mail. With finals over, you are free to use the two hours in this class to practice anything you like that I've taught over since September. My suggestion is to go over things you didn't do well on during midterms and finals," Harvey stated. With that, they got to work practicing and even asking Heather or Harvey for help in certain areas that needed work.
(Friday Night, 6 pm)
Ellie and Harvey met at his truck at 6 pm after leaving the kids with Heather and then drive to a nice little restaurant for dinner. Upon arriving, they were seated at a two person table in the back and ordered their drinks first, then looked over the menu to decide on their meal for the evening.
"I'm glad we finally got the chance to come out, just the two of us," Ellie crooned.
"Sorry, it took so long. I figured it would be easier to wait until finals and the permit test was out of the way," Harvey apologized.
"Oh, no. It's fine, Harvey. It was probably best that we did wait, so our personal lives didn't take away from education or career," Ellie smiled at him.
"And I had to deal with the visitation agreement," Harvey sighed.
"It was very mature of you to allow Courtney back into Karina's life, it will be good for them to re-bond and spend time together," Ellie stated.
"Thank you; it wasn't an easy choice to make because I knew it would involve me and her seeing each other more than we have in class and I wasn't sure I was ready to do that but on the other side of things. If it were me in Courtney's position, I would want to be able to see my child," Harvey replied.
"Absolutely. If my ex ever wanted to do the same, I would let him with rules and stipulations just as your setup," Ellie agreed. "Do you know what you're going to eat?"
"Deciding between a cheeseburger or pasta," Harvey chuckled. "How about you?"
"The honey barbecue chicken mac and cheese sounds delightful," Ellie responded while placing her menu down with a soft sigh.
"What's the matter?" Harvey inquired seeing that she looked upset.
"I suppose I'm worried about how I did for the test. I was paired with a Monstrous Nightmare, male. Reminded me a lot of Hookfang," Ellie shrugged with a small smile.
"El, I'm sure you did fine. You had the highest end of the year score out of all my third years," Harvey placed his hand on hers, and her smile grew.
"I hope so, I've dreamed of becoming a trainer since I was little," Ellie told him.
"I know the feeling. If I can do it, so can you," Harvey encouraged. The waiter came over a few minutes later with their drinks and took their order. Harvey did a cheeseburger with fries while Ellie got the mac and cheese with honey barbecue chicken. When the waiter left, the two looked at one another knowing they could use this time to talk about things. "I guess while we wait for our food we can speak of that day from the beach?" he suggested.
"It would be a good time to, yes. I don't see the need to talk about feelings since we feel the same towards one another," Ellie mentioned.
"I agree. We like each other and more than on a friendship level. I assume all there is left to discuss would be where we go from here?" Harvey gazed at her.
"That depends on where you and I stand with our pasts, given we've been through the same situation. Both of us have no intention of returning to our ex's, so I don't believe we need to worry about that. However, your ex is still in your life," Ellie said.
"Only as a civil agreement that she wants to be in Karina's life. Courtney and I are done, I won't take her back. I know that's what she hoped for with being around Kari and me, but I honestly can't see myself with her again. As you said, if it were meant to be then she never would have left," Harvey assured firmly. "So ex's aren't a problem for us, but we do have the fact that starting in September I will be your teacher," he added.
"That is true. It goes without saying that we wouldn't be able to do anything relationship wise during that time," Ellie nodded in agreement.
"It's already been an issue with the headmaster because you and I were spotted leaving campus together a few times. Mr. Trechdon informed me that he doesn't care what personal relationships I have as long as they don't interfere with the rules of the University," Harvey remembered from that day.
"That would mean we can't be in each other's dorms, can't show displays of affection on campus or during hours," Ellie affirmed.
"Correct. However, the headmaster didn't have a problem with us being together off campus after hours or on the weekends as long as I'm not doing outside training or giving you special treatment in class," Harvey pointed out.
"Well, of course. I can understand his stance on that, so in short, we have to do things exactly as we have been since becoming friends only we would be in a relationship," Ellie laughed a little.
"Seems that way. I assume then the only thing left to figure out is if we're going to be together?" Harvey looked at her softly.
"I know for me, I like you a lot, Harvey, and I want to be with you. You're kind to my son and me, we have the time of our lives being with you and Karina," Ellie admitted.
"I want to be with you too, Ellie. I'm happier than I've ever been since meeting you. Our kids get along, and there is never a dull moment between us," Harvey replied as their fingers linked together in the middle of the table. "I feel, though, that we should wait until the school year closes next week. To make things a little easier on us to start dating when we don't have to be so secretive about it. I'm sure it will take the others time to adjust to us being a couple and the summer seems like a good time for that to happen,"
"I was thinking the same thing. So, then it's decided? We'll start a relationship when summer begins," Ellie smiled.
"When summer begins," Harvey nodded returning her smile. The rest of their evening was talking about summer plans and eating dinner together and the night closed with Harvey taking her back to campus and kissing her cheek in the truck before they went to their dorms. Only one more week and they could be together, Harvey and Ellie couldn't wait for next Friday to come.
(Next Friday)
Harvey and Ellie didn't tell anyone about their talk or what was decided. Not that it mattered, the other friends didn't know much about the situation anyway. Heather knew, but even Harvey didn't tell her their choice. The final week of school seemed to drag on, but finally, it was Friday, and Harvey had the results of their permit tests. Harvey relayed through e-mail for his students to meet him on the DT field around 5 pm since he had a few things to take care of and wouldn't be on campus until that time. Little did they know, Harvey was doing something he wasn't a fan of; setting up an end of the year block party in the old neighborhood.
The clock struck 5 pm, and the students found him on the field as agreed upon with Heather beside him holding a small stack of envelopes in her hand. The ten third years became nervous as they couldn't see just how many Heather was holding.
"Thank you for coming on time; I apologize for making you wait all day for your results. Karina had a long night that involved the emergency room at 3 am and then two doctors appointments earlier this afternoon," Harvey said.
"Why didn't you call me? Is she all right?" Courtney asked with concern.
"It was 3 in the morning, Court. I didn't even call Heather; I just took her myself on Toothless. Kari is okay; her asthma is at its worst in the summer because of the heat. Don't worry," Harvey told her as Courtney nodded and relaxed a little. "Now. Each envelope contains a letter and your results. For those who have passed, there will also be a permit you can cut out and have laminated. I don't know who passed; I'm just the guy who hands these out," he added. For the next five minutes, Harvey called names, and the students would come up to get them.
When everyone had their envelope, they opened them at the same time, and Harvey watched for facial reactions. If anyone failed, he would feel partially responsible because it was his job to teach them what they needed to know. Soon he saw lips curl to smiles of excitement on each of their faces and he was relieved. Smiles meant good because they passed. "How did everyone do?" Heather asked.
"We all passed!" the students cheered.
"Congratulations to all of you. As this is the end of the day, I have a special treat for you. Saddle up and follow me," Harvey smiled. The newly permitted riders hurried to the stables to get ready and then came out seeing Harvey on Toothless, Heather on Windshear. Harvey motioned for them to follow as he took to the sky and led them to the neighborhood. Upon landing, they were able to see what he had done. Harvey set up a block party? The guy who said he wasn't the party type five years ago set up a party? For them? "Welcome to the congratulatory, end of the year block party,"
"Wait, how did you plan this if you didn't know who passed?" Rylee asked.
"I lied. I knew everyone passed," Harvey grinned.
"Asshole, scaring us like that," Tyler muttered.
"Ty, shut up. Everyone land and let's have some fun," Harvey announced. With that, they landed their dragons and got off. Harvey flipped the music on, and it went from there. This was the start of their summer break and what a great way to begin with a party to celebrate them passing and the end of the school year. Karina and Owen were having fun in the front yard of Veronica and Stuart's house, and the rest of the adults were enjoying a good time. Harvey loved it, to think that all this started with a block party and that's how he was going to end it too by making things official with the woman who made things so clear for him, the girl he was slowly falling in love with.
(8 pm)
Still, in full swing, the party was incredible. Harvey and Ellie were dancing together and loving it. When the song ended, Harvey turned the next song down as he held Ellie's hand and pulled her closer to him. Without warning, Harvey snaked a hand around her waist and leaned in placing a kiss on her lips. It seemed to go quiet around them after Ellie closed her eyes and kissed him back. Harvey broke the kiss and pulled back while staring into her blue eyes.
"The start of summer, remember?" Harvey told her when he saw that Ellie was about to ask why he kissed her, Ellie's eyes widened a bit as she blushed and nodded to him.
"About damn time you two!" Heather yelled as Harvey and Ellie shot her a glare, "Sorry,"
Harvey shook his head with a sigh then looked back at Ellie as their fingers intertwined together and they stared into each other's eyes. "Will you be my girlfriend, Ellie?"
"I will be your girlfriend, Harvey," Ellie replied as they kissed again and everyone started clapping. Owen and Karina hurried to their parents with Harvey picking up Owen and Ellie lifting Karina, a big hug shared by the four of them and then they smiled as the kids went to play again. Harvey and Ellie went to the table to get a drink. "How about a toast to us?" Ellie suggested as she lifted her glass cup to Harvey's, "To moving forward together,"
"To moving forward together," Harvey repeated as they tapped cups and took a drink and then Harvey pulled her into his arms and they shared a deep kiss, and then both laughed happily heading back to the party to dance and enjoy their night. Harvey was beyond happy to know that a block party started everything with Harvey and Courtney hooking up, having Karina, his bonding with Toothless, the pain and heartbreak of Courtney leaving, then taking a job offer that brought him back to Berk and meeting someone who had been through the same things he had. Ellie, the woman who helped him in so many ways since their first meet at the daycare and now this woman was his girlfriend.
Harvey was confident that Ellie was the one for him, they were perfect together, so he knew everything was going to work out between them. Harvey didn't know what would happen next in his life, but one thing he knew for sure is that he would have his dragon, his friends, his career, his daughter, and Ellie beside him while he was moving forward into the future happier than he had ever been before.
