Today was the celebration of Hanson's, Hazel's, and Caleb's birthdays since they all happened to fall in February. Technically, Hanson was a leap year baby but still celebrated every year for it because he was still a year older even if his actual day of birth only came every four years. On this day, Hanson was turning twenty-four, Hazel became six, and Caleb turned nine. Caylee's birthday wasn't until the end of April, but when that came, she would be turning twenty-four also. In truth, Caylee was fourteen when she got pregnant with Caleb and gave birth to him. What no one knew except Hanson was that Caylee got raped by her ex-boyfriend when she tried to leave him and that is how she ended up pregnant. Caylee gave birth, and then had no way to care for Caleb, so she joined the military a little after Hanson did and somehow she got put in his platoon when training was complete.
Caylee joined when in February 2009 after Caleb was born she was living on Visithug Isle with her grandmother since her parents had been killed in a car wreck when she was twelve. On Visithug, they didn't do Advanced Training or have a dragon training program so when Caylee bonded with a wild female Changewing who she named Acida, she was transferred to Fort Riddari and when she moved so did her grandmother and son. Hanson was done with his training in February 2009 since he joined October 2008 and left for his first tour of duty May 2009 and that lasted twelve months because they returned May 2010 when both Caylee and Hanson were sixteen years old. Hanson got to meet Caleb when he was three months old, and it was the on the family day at the completion of Dragon Training for Alpha and Blast platoons.
Of course, things only got worse for Caylee because her grandmother fell very ill and passed away two months after they got off their first tour of duty. This left Caylee in mourning because that was the last of her family and she no longer had someone to watch Caleb. However, Hanson stepped in and made an offer since they had just started dating when the tour ended. Hanson spoke to his father who agreed to watch Caleb when they were at drill weekend or on tour at least if Caylee was since Hanson usually had to stay on the base for work. Caylee agreed and got Caleb enrolled in a daycare program that lasted from 6 am to 6 pm which was perfect for Steven who worked 7 am to 5 pm most nights. And since 2010, that has been the arrangement.
It worked out because Caylee began living at Steven's too so she could take care of Caleb. Hanson would drop in from time to time to see them, but he was always busy with training new groups because of his rank allowing him to act as a Drill Sergeant, but he got to see Caylee, Caleb, and his father on Skype at nights during Personal Time. Ever since then, Caylee and Hanson had been together. They fell in love on their tour of duty, then made things official after Caylee moved into Steven's house during August 2010 right after Caylee's grandmother passed away and the funeral was over. Things had been perfect the last seven years and would continue to be perfect after they got married and Caleb's adoption was finalized making him a Haddock along with Caylee too. Neither Hanson or Caylee could wait for it to happen.
(Steven's House)
The party had begun an hour ago; everyone was there who wanted to be. There was soda, juice, pizza, chips and dip, sandwich triangles, crackers, cheese, etc. The desserts would come out later after presents which would mainly be for the kids, Hanson didn't want anything because he had all he could ever want in life right now. Hanson loved having is friends back in his life, it was like nothing changed between them, and it was better because he had Thatcher, Ricky, and Vincent part of that group. The topping on the cake so to speak was having his father, Caylee, and kids there too. Everyone was together, and there was no fighting at all. What could be better than this? Nothing.
"It's so great to have everyone in one place," Caylee beamed. The others in the room nodded in agreement, but Hanson noticed the sadness behind Aubree's eyes, of course, she was upset. Aubree was sitting in a house watching Hanson celebrate his birthday with his kids and fiance. Hanson knew he should talk to her, but what good what it do, he offered her the out to be away from him. Staying was only making it harder, and in the face of it, Hanson would always have a soft spot for Aubree in his heart. They were the best of friends when they met in the second grade and then met the others in sixth. Hanson always had a thing for her, racing home to tell his parents about this amazing girl he met and was friends with.
Over time that little thing turned into a crush, but he never had the guts to tell her how he felt, and when he met Toothless, all that faded because he wanted to protect his friend and had to focus a lot in training. Then everything just began to change rapid fire over the last eight years and in that, he fell for Caylee feeling like his friends would never understand his choice, and he was right about that. His friends admitted that until he sat them down and explained everything, they didn't understand why he couldn't just write a letter and call to let them know what was going on. Hanson knew Aubree was upset she had missed her chance, but who's fault was it? Hanson didn't feel it was hers or his, neither of them spoke up, and things just happened the way that they did. Hanson had to talk to her, or it was going to continue to be awkward between them.
"Hanson, are you okay son?" Steven asked when there was a break in the talking.
"Hm. Yeah, I'm okay. Just letting my mind wander," Hanson smiled in reply.
"Anything you want to share?" Thatcher inquired, and Hanson shook his head at him, then Hanson's eyes fell on Aubree. Caylee noticed the looks resting on both her fiance's and Aubree's faces. Caylee recalled Hanson telling her about the argument that Hanson and Aubree got into the night before that had Hanson all ticked off when the two of them talked. Caylee kissed her fiance's cheek and smiled, using her head to motion for Hanson to talk to her.
"You sure?" Hanson questioned because he knew Caylee caught on to what was wrong. Caylee nodded assuringly to him as Hanson sighed, then Caylee got off his lap while he stood up. "Aubree," he said finally as she quickly looked at him, "Follow me. I need to talk to you," Hanson added as he began walking to the stairs that would lead to the basement where his office and small workout area was. Aubree blinked a few times in confusion, but she got up and followed him. Hanson let her go first and then he closed the door while walking down.
(Basement)
"I can't see anything," Aubree pointed out. Hanson reached his arm past her and flipped a switch to turn on the lights, "Oh, thank you," she said next as Hanson nodded and led her down to the small area that had two couches in a corner with a mini fridge, three end tables, and a central table. "So, what did you need to talk to me about?" she asked.
"About that argument, the one we had before Caylee came home from her tour of duty," Hanson informed as Aubree bit her lower lip in fear he might still be angry about it.
"Hanson, I'm sorry I acted out that way. I had no right-" Aubree began, but Hanson put a hand up to stop her, and she closed her mouth.
"Stop," Hanson said firmly as Aubree nodded once, "I'm not mad at you, and you don't need to apologize. I'm the one who should be apologizing to you, Aubree." he added as her eyes widened a little.
"Why? It's not like what you said wasn't true," Aubree lowered her head.
"Regardless, that should have been a private conversation between just us. I should not have behaved the way I did, even in the heat of the moment. And I should not have passed all the blame on you about the matter." Hanson told her.
"What do you mean?" Aubree asked now.
"Aubree. You and I have been best friends since the second grade. You had a crush on me, and I had one on you, neither one of us spoke up about it. I shouldn't have scolded you for not telling me how you felt when I did the same thing. I was going to ask you to that dance with me, and then ask you out before that night was over. And then over that weekend, I met Toothless, and everything changed so quickly." Hanson admitted.
"I know, Hanson. You told us all that," Aubree replied.
"Still. I shouldn't have screamed at you the way I did, and I wanted to apologize for that. I only gave you that choice to leave so you could move on a little easier without always being around me and I wanted to talk to you today because I can see it in your eyes that me being with Caylee, knowing I have two kids, upsets and hurts you." Hanson responded calmly.
"Well, of course, it does. Knowing I missed my chance because I was scared, knowing you've been with her for seven years, about to be married. It hurts a lot, Hanson. But you were my friend before you were my crush and as your friend, I want your happiness. If Caylee is the one who makes you happy, then I'm happy for you, and I'll be okay with time." Aubree smiled at him.
"What made you stay?" Hanson asked her.
"If I had transferred then I wouldn't get to see my Dad, or friends unless I was on leave. And on that too, I didn't want to be away from you," Aubree answered as Hanson looked over slowly, "It does hurt that you're with someone else and I missed that chance, but I felt it would hurt more if I had to lose you as a friend too. Like I said, if you're happy then I am too."
"I am happy, but Aubree, I want you to know this. You are the first friend I ever made, and the first girl I liked and developed real feelings for. That will always hold a place in my heart, as will you. Even if we're not together in the romantic sense, I will forever be your friend and there for you if you need anything. I want you to know that," Hanson crooned.
"Thank you, Hanson. I needed to hear that, and same for you too," Aubree smiled wide.
"So, we cool?" Hanson asked motioning to himself and Aubree.
"Yeah, we're cool." Aubree nodded as they shared a quick hug, then separated, "Now let's get back up there to celebrate the birthdays," she added. Hanson nodded to her in agreement as they walked back upstairs and Hanson flipped the light off on his way out.
(Living Room)
"You two good?" Caylee asked with a smile.
"Yeah, we are now," Hanson replied, and then Aubree punched him in the arm, "Ow, what the hell, Aubree!" he groaned rubbing his arm now as Aubree laughed.
"That was for disappearing for eight years without a word," Aubree told him.
"I apologized and explained all that; you said you forgave me," Hanson muttered.
"Doesn't mean I wasn't going to not punch you for doing it now what we aren't on the base and kicking back like old times," Aubree shrugged returning to her seat near Heather.
"We'll see who has the last laugh next month at drill weekend when you all have to spar against me, Thatch, Cay, Vincent, and Ricky," Hanson grinned at them as their eyes widened.
"Wait, what?!" the group yelled in shock. Hanson only gave the nod to confirm.
"That's right, drill weekend in March is you ten facing off against us tournament style. An exercise to test you in a war situation making your way to a target on a mission. You'll face off against your battle buddy, then those winners as it narrows down. When only one of you is left, you'll go up in order of our ranks. Ricky, Vincent, myself, Thatch, and Hanson. However, no one has ever beaten him. Not even me or Thatcher," Caylee chuckled a little.
"Oh, great," Taylor rolled his eyes.
"You'll be okay. You don't get graded on it, it's just to keep yourselves sharp and ready," Hanson sat back with his arms over his chest. "Now relax and just enjoy the party," he reminded. Hanson was right, why should they be worried about it? It was only training. Today was about Hanson, Hazel, and Caleb to celebrate their birthdays! It was party time.
