It felt good to have things be the way that they were again. Hanson had all his friends back, and everyone was getting along with one another. Everything had fallen into place and the last seven months had been amazing, and now Hanson was just four months away from marrying Caylee and adopting Caleb as his son. The month was September 2018 and so much had been done in that little amount of time. Hanson and Caylee had been working on a lot of wedding plans with help from everyone to get it done. The two love birds picked to be married at a country club that was fifteen minutes away from Steven's house; it would hold the ceremony and reception. The dinner of choice was going to be chicken and penne pasta mixed in an alfredo sauce served with a basket of garlic bread for the table.
There was no theme for them since they were random but the colors chosen were black, silver, and blue. The cake was a small three tier decorated with black fondant and silver swirls and dots. The cake itself was marble, yellow being the vanilla and brown being chocolate. There wouldn't be any appetizers to serve; it just made things simpler. For attire; Hanson was wearing a black tuxedo with a silver tie, and Caylee would be dressed in a white A-Line, around the waist would be a silver belt that shimmered like diamonds. Also, Caylee's bouquet would have white and blue roses in it. Hanson and Caylee would have their table with the kids while other guests would be sitting at the round, eight seater tables.
Hanson and Caylee had written their vows but picked a small ceremony for the priest to read off; it wouldn't take long; perhaps fifteen minutes at best guess. Also, Gregory or Gobber would be walking Caylee down the isle since the man had been like a father to her since her parents were killed when she was twelve in a car accident. Hazel would be a flower girl, Caleb a ring bearer. Thatcher was Hanson's best man, Ella would be Caylee's Maid of Honor. No bridesmaids or groomsmen would be present; it made things easier. As for the guest list, it was to be kept subtle. Hanson, Caylee, Hazel, and Caleb naturally. Then in addition to them was Steven, Gregory, Aiden, Thatcher, Vincent, Ricky, Ella, Aubree, Heather, Eli, Dustin, Sawyer, Grant, Raelyn, Franklin, and Taylor. Aside from the main guests, there was also the photographer, DJ, bartender, and priest. The dragons would be present outside with fish as their meal.
Everything was just about set for the wedding, all that needed to happen was Caylee's final dress fitting, do all the legal requirements, and then get married in four months. Neither of them could wait for it to happen. Others things that happened in seven months was all the drill weekends that they never got used to because it was always different. Back in February, Aubree was the one to make it to Hanson in the tournament like training, and she couldn't beat him just like the others couldn't either. Mainly, the last seven months had all been wedding plans, hanging out, and training. It was unbelievable to them all that so much time had passed and everyone was happier than ever before.
Aubree was doing better now, it didn't hurt as much to be around Hanson, but she'd always care for him as more than a friend and perhaps a day would come she could move on with someone else, but it wasn't something she was currently worried about right now. Aubree only cared that Hanson was happy and as long as he was, then she was too just as she had told him the day of his and his children's birthday party. Aubree was now twenty-four as well, so was Caylee, Ella, and Thatcher. Grant had turned twenty-one, Dustin became twenty-seven. The Thorston twins turned twenty-three. And lastly, Eli turned twenty-five. Sawyer's, Franklin's, and Sylvia's had not come yet. But, Ricky turned thirty, and Vincent became twenty-nine back in January 2018. Heather's birthday was towards the end of September, so she'd be twenty-three very soon too.
Life was perfect for all the friends, Hanson loved it all and couldn't be more thankful for all that he did. A good paying job that allowed him to help people, his best friend ever, Toothless, amazing friends, a beautiful fiance, well-behaved children, his father, Gobber, and Aiden too. Hanson's life was perfect; he didn't imagine it could get any better than it was right now. Maybe after the wedding, it would be better, but for the moment, everything was perfect. Today, it was Friday and another drill weekend to deal with. Hanson didn't mind them; he got to see his friends for three days, also during meals and time after the training was over. Unfortunately for Hanson, his two kids were sick, and his father had to work all day which left Caylee not taking part in drill weekend to take care of the children. It wasn't a big deal for Caylee to miss training, she was a First Lieutenant and always top of her game when it came to her job in training or on the field.
Hanson was with his platoon and Caylee's for training. Hanson was in charge of both but also had to take part; this weekend would focus them to move through enemy terrain and be trapped there to wait for extraction while keeping themselves safe and treating wounded soldiers. Also, they had to work on their radio skills because in Hanson's eyes, some were lacking and that was acceptable. Friends or not, if it were a real mission while deployed, no errors could be made, or it meant someone's life. Currently, everyone was fighting with one another about what to do or who should do what and Hanson was developing a migraine from it all. Finally having enough, he pulling out his handgun from off the holster on his left thigh. Hanson cocked back the top to load a bullet into the chamber, pointed it to the sky, then pressed the trigger.
On instinct, everyone covered their head and got low to the ground while he stood up. "That is enough! We've done this exercise at least two other times, and it's not that difficult to do! Your squabbling is worse than my children! I expect better from ALL of you for the remainder of this training and to think it's only Friday. Now grow up, and let's get this finished," Hanson yelled at them.
"Sir, yes sir!" the soldiers replied as the training continued and all Hanson could think about was if his kids were alright, he hadn't gotten an update from Caylee in two hours.
(With Caylee & The Kids)
Caleb and Hazel were sick with stomach aches and fevers of over 101.0, while Caylee was on her own to care for both of them. It started with Hazel at lunch time the day before, throwing up an hour after lunch was served at school. Caleb began feeling sick afterward. Caylee got a call from the school and went to pick both of them up, then informed Hanson what was going on. The sickness continued through the night, and the kids were only managing to keep down water and saltine crackers. This morning, Caylee checked their temperatures were dropping but not yet gone so with both kids sick, Caylee called them out of school, Steven was at work too, so it was just her at home with her sick children.
As lunch time neared, Caylee noticed the kids were feeling a bit better and assumed maybe it was just a twenty-four-hour bug. However, she'd play the safe side and still keep an eye on them. It worked out because she had to go shopping to get a few things for the house, the best place to do that was the corner store right down the block. It was only a five-minute walk, and the kids wanted some fresh air so why not take them along? Caylee had them pull on their light jackets and shoes; then she did the same as they locked up the house and began walking down the street. Caylee grabbed a basket and put it on her arm while making the kids hold hands and walk right beside her while she shopped.
"Mommy, can we get more crackers?" Hazel asked lightly.
"Of course we can sweetie," Caylee smiled while they kept moving around the store, it wasn't a big one but had all the essentials for convenience. By Caylee's sight, she could count there were four others in the store besides herself and the kids, then of course the two clerks. Caylee felt her cell phone vibrate in her pockets as she took it out to see a text from Hanson asking how the kids were doing. With a smile, Caylee typed back; ~Doin better bby, we're the corner store shopping -Cay~ After she had sent the message, she went back to grabbing what was needed.
When she felt the vibration again, she giggled a bit reading his reply; ~I'm glad. Give them my love, talk to you tonight. I love you, Cay -Hic~ Caylee loved that Hanson used his middle name as a signature, Hanson's full name was Hanson Hiccup Haddock, but with her, in messages, he used Hic at the end, and she thought it was adorable. Caylee didn't reply because she got distracted when she heard the bell go off to the store, it means someone was walking in.
"Give me all the money in the registers and safe!" came a rough voice, Caylee instinctively had the kids remain quiet as she peered over the aisles and saw a man standing at the counter with a gun out and tossing the clerk a sack to put the money in. Caylee didn't like this, a man robbing the joint wouldn't just instantly show the gun in plain sight like that. Caylee looked around the store to others becoming scared; she motioned for them to follow her as she pulled the kids along and snuck into the back of the store where the office was.
"Mom, I'm scared," Caleb said with worried eyes.
"Don't be; it's all going to be okay. I promise. Stay here with your sister, and these people. Keep below the windows and under the counters. You remember what I taught you about hiding in blind spots?" Caylee smiled at them.
"Yes, Mama." Both kids replied. Caylee hugged and kissed their foreheads.
"Do not come out until police arrive, I love you both. Be safe," Caylee instructed firmly as she pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Steven, then she closed the door to the office knowing it locked from the inside and wouldn't open without a key from the outside. Caylee grabbed her handgun from out of her purse since Hanson insisted she carries one. Also, she had the license to do so. Without warning, she saw the robber shoot the male clerk who Caylee assumed was the manager, and then the robber turned the gun on the female cashier who was pleading for her life. "Drop it!" she ordered.
Now the robber faced her quickly, his gun on her. "Who are you!" he demanded.
"A good citizen and a member of the Berkian Military. Lower your weapon to the floor and put your hands behind your head, slowly." Caylee glared while holding her gun steady to shoot him, but her eyes told the cashier to get in the back with the wounded manager, thankfully the man wasn't dead. When they were clear, Caylee cocked back the gun to fire. "I won't say it again. Lower your weapon!" Surprisingly, the robber dropped himself to the ground and placed the gun on the tiled floor, he kicked it towards her then put his hands behind his head while on his knees. A gun fired twice as Caylee felt the familiar feeling of bullets pierce her flesh. Caylee saw the robber in front of her smirk as she dropped to her knees in pain, bleeding from the chest and neck.
"Stupid bitch, being a good citizen is going to kill you." said the man from behind. Caylee clamped a hand over her neck as she spun slightly and ignored the pain to shoot the person behind her, killing him with a shot to the heart. Hearing movement, she looked back to the first robber and saw him trying to get his gun, Caylee shot him in the leg twice rendering him unable to move as she managed to get his gun towards her when she finally leaned against the metal rack and breathing heavily. Caylee heard sirens and knew police were coming; she smiled a bit as the gun fell from her hand and she got out her phone and messaged Hanson back with ~I love you too, Hanson. Always and forever more -Cay~
Caylee knew she wouldn't live, but at least her kids were safe, and Hanson knew that she loved him no matter what. The sirens were getting closer as Caylee felt herself getting weaker, and vision blurring. After five minutes, Caylee's eyes closed as she fell to the ground. Police cars parked out front, Steven rushed in and took in what happened, the first things he saw was on robber dead, another with a shot leg, then he saw Caylee on the floor.
"Caylee!" Steven gasped as he rushed over to her bleeding, limp form as he was careful in his movements. Steven checked her breathing, and pulse to find nothing as his eyes widened. "No. Gods, no, don't let it be true," he pleaded. The paramedics hurried over and checked everything again, before sadly looking to Steven and shaking their heads.
"We're sorry, Chief, she's already gone," said the woman.
Steven couldn't bare this. Caylee managed to save her kids, the shoppers, manager, and clerk. Caylee died a hero and Steven didn't even want to imagine how Hazel and Caleb would take the news, or worse, his son who knew nothing about any of this. What hurt more, Steven knew they arrive minutes too late.
