It was heartbreaking to see Hanson on the ground at Fort Riddari base crying his eyes in anger while punching the ground out of sheer frustration of the situation that just arose. After losing his fiance a month ago, he was starting to feel better and heal. Now, Caleb had been taken away because Hanson was neither his biological or adoptive father and Hanson wasn't handling it well. How could he? His son had just been taken away, basically ripped from his arms and Hanson had to listen to Caleb scream, cry, and beg to not be taken by the child services woman. Not all hope was lost, Hanson was told by the woman that he stood a chance to take full custody of Caleb in court against the biological father who was apparently out of prison and decided he suddenly wanted to be a father.
Things weren't any easier for Steven or Hazel. Hanson's little girl wanted to know where he brother was being taken and why Hanson didn't stop the woman from taking Caleb. Hanson's punches on the ground came slower until they stopped when Toothless rushed over and nudged his friend a few times to calm him down, this was a moment they were able see the bond Hanson and Toothless had with one another. In just seconds of the two being in contact, Hanson just sat there on the ground with his eyes closed. Not long after Toothless came over, so did Acida, Caylee's dragon and now both of them were offering comfort to Hanson.
Currently, Hanson was on his knees with his hands balled into fists tightly and shaking with anger but the tears had stopped falling as he was taking deep breaths to collect himself to a calm state so he wouldn't snap at anyone. Thatcher, Ella, Ricky, and Vincent knew it all too well over the last eight years what happened when Hanson was this upset, they knew to stay clear and let him calm down on his own.
"Daddy! Why did they take big brother! Why didn't you help him! Bring him back! I want Caleb back!" Hazel cried uncontrollably.
Hanson pulled Hazel into his arms to try and soothe her tears, "I will bring him back, I promise baby girl. They took him because there was just...a little mix up in paperwork and they are saying he's not my son. Daddy will fix it and Caleb will be home soon. Okay? I give you my word princess," he tried to assure her.
"Okay Daddy, I believe you," Hazel nodded as Hanson wiped her eyes free of tears and kissed her on the forehead.
"Dad, take Hazel home," Hanson told his father.
"Of course son, um, aren't you coming?" Steven inquired curiously.
"I'll be home in a bit. I have things to do to get ready for this case," Hanson informed. "Just take her home, get her something to eat and let her watch her cartoons and cuddle her dragon. I won't be here long, but there is a lot to do before Tuesday's court hearing," he added.
"Aye, I understand, Hanson. If you need anything, let me know and I'll do all I can." Steven nodded firmly as he picked Hazel up and began heading off to where he parked. Hanson finally picked himself up off the ground and took a deep breath to go back into his office.
"Hanson, let us help too," Ella insisted.
"No, this is my battle," Hanson replied.
"Oh, shut up!" Ella yelled at him as Hanson froze and whipped around to face her. "Caylee was my best friend and Caleb was practically my nephew! That's how we all see Caleb, as family. We're all going to fight for him, Hanson. We're a team, we do shit together! Caleb didn't just get taken from you, he was taken from all of us and I'm not about to sit on the sidelines while you fight alone to bring him home. Now you knock off this pity me, my battle bullshit and let us help!"
Hanson stared at her a few seconds before sighing, "Look, I'm sorry okay. I lost Caylee last month, now I've lost my son just as I was starting to feel better about things. I woke and told myself today would be a good day and now, it seems I'm just living a nightmare that I can't get out since Caylee was killed," Hanson told them.
"We understand that, Hanson. But Ella is right. Caleb is family to all of us and we're going to show that judge that. We are a team and there is nothing we can't do when we do it together. You're going to fight for Caleb, and so are we." Thatcher added.
"You need us. That sperm donor asshole isn't going to stand a chance against us when the judge sees how many people love Caleb and have been in his life since he was a baby," Ricky reminded.
"You're right. I do need you and I'm sorry for pushing you away. It just feels like everything is crashing before me and I don't want to lose anyone else," Hanson looked down.
"Hey, five deployment tours didn't separate us and nothing ever will," Vincent smiled. "We will all fight for Caleb, together, just as we do everything else," he assured.
"Now what do you need us to do, Lieutenant Colonel?" Ella beamed firmly.
"Well, first I need to do is get a lawyer for this court hearing on Tuesday. The rest of you can find pictures or videos of times you saw me with Caleb over the last eight years. Anything to show how I've been active in his life since meeting Caylee in 2009," Hanson told them.
"Yes sir!" Ella, Thatcher, Ricky, and Vincent saluted him.
"Sir," Aubree put her hand up slowly as Hanson looked at her.
"Go ahead, Sergeant Hofferson," Hanson nodded to her now.
"I know a lawyer you can use," Aubree smiled to him as Hanson arched a brow. "My uncle Finn, he's a family court lawyer. I can call him right now and set up a meeting,"
"Thank you, Aubree. That would help a lot, will he be able to see me before the hearing?" Hanson asked.
"I'll call in a favor. My uncle owes me for all the times I babysat his bratty daughter," Aubree replied as she pulled out her phone and stepped away from the group to make the call to her uncle.
"And the rest of us will rally around you in court as witnesses to how you are with Caleb or just be support," Sawyer informed.
"Thank you, seriously, thank you so much," Hanson told them calmly. Hanson realized now that he never should have shut them out over the last month and this only proved that they were all the best of friends because they still stood with him even though he'd been a hermit and depressed since he found out from his father that Caylee had been killed in that robbery. Hanson loved his friends, all of them.
"It's no trouble. We're not just friends, we're family and we'll always stick together," Thatcher patted Hanson on the back. "So, drill is cancelled for the weekend?" he tried.
"Well for some of you, yes. The rest have to stay or I'm the one who will get smoked for it," Hanson reminded.
"Alright, who is staying and who is excused?" Ricky inquired.
"Thatch, Ricky, Ella, Vin, Aubree, Sawyer, Grant, Taylor, Raelyn, Heather, Eli, Dustin, Sylvia, and Franklin." Hanson listed off, "The rest of you, Gobber will handle drill weekend," he added.
"Who?" some of the platoon asked.
"Oh, right, only I call him that. Major Gregory Belmore," Hanson said. The two platoons standing there all nodded and went 'Oh' together. "Alright, I've got a few things to do in the office. When Hofferson returns from her call, tell her to update me in there," he said.
"Yes sir," his friends replied as he nodded and took a deep breath. He would get his son back, no one would stand in his way. How could they not see Hanson as the perfect father for Caleb? Hanson had a stable job, stable home and life, could financially support both of his kids, and had no record of any kind except his awards and medals in the military. Hanson had been in Caleb's life since he was three months old and always there for him even before Caylee and Hanson began dating at sixteen. There was no way they wouldn't award him custody, but it would still be a battle and it was one Hanson was more than ready to fight.
(Monday Afternoon; 4:30 pm)
Hanson don't know how Aubree did it, but she pulled off getting him seen by her uncle Finn before Tuesday morning when the custody case for Caleb would begin. Aubree returned an hour later on Friday night to Hanson's office to tell him that her uncle would see him Monday afternoon on his day off over at the Hofferson residence for dinner and they could discuss things then. Hanson thanked her and then got back to work rounding up everything he would need for court, anything at all that could help him win. Doctors appointments that he took Caleb too with Caylee's permission, that he was top emergency contact on all forms, pictures, videos, etc. Hanson wouldn't let the judge not see that he was a good father despite not being the biological one.
The time was 3:30 pm and Hanson arrived at Aubree's house for the meeting with Finn Hofferson, family lawyer. Ella was watching Hazel at the Haddock house since Steven was still working until 7 pm, Hanson hoped this wouldn't take long to get out what happened with Caleb and them come up with a strategy on how to give the judge all the proof he or she needed to make this a quick case and just give custody to Hanson. Aubree came out of the house and signaled to Hanson to just come right in, taking a deep breath he shut the truck off and unbuckled his seatbelt. Hanson then grabbed a flashdrive and folder before stepping out of the truck and walking up the path to the main door.
"Hey, Hanson," Aubree smiled.
"Hey, Aubs. Thanks for this, I owe you one," Hanson smiled at her.
"Don't mention it, we're friends after all. My uncle is just in here," Aubree invited stepping aside to let Hanson in the house and he walked in to see Finn and Colden Hofferson sitting on the couch.
"Hello, Hanson. It's good to see you again," greeted Colden. Hanson waved to him as Finn got up with a hand out to Hanson.
"I don't believe we've been properly introduced. I'm Finn Hofferson, Aubree's uncle and Colden's brother. Pleasure to meet you finally. Aubree has told me so much," Finn smiled. Hanson shook his hand.
"Hanson Haddock. And she has, has she?" Hanson glanced over at Aubree who went wide eyed and tensed up.
"Oh, yes. So many times she wou-" Colden began.
"Dad! Shut up!" Aubree demanded completely flustered at the fact that her Dad was about to spill all the times she came home and bragged about how amazing Hanson was. "I'm sure there are much more pressing matters to attend to. Like maybe the custody battle tomorrow. Now, I'm going to go check on dinner. Father, come with me and help. Uncle Finn and Hanson have a lot to discuss," she added
"Ah yes. Of course," Colden replied with a nod as he got up to leave the leaving room with Aubree. Finn and Hanson remained.
"Well, let's get to business shall we? Aubree only mentioned that your fiance, and biological mother of the minor child Caleb passed away last month. First allow me to give you my deepest condolences on your loss lad. Second, I understand that the minor was removed by child services on Friday, yes?" Finn asked.
"That's right. The biological father is out of prison and wants his son, he's never even met Caleb," Hanson replied.
"What doesn't make any sense to me is why he would desire custody of the child after so long?" Finn mentioned, "Tell me everything about this man, anything that could have a bearing to the case to prevent him from having custody," Hanson took a deep breath and began to explain everything to Finn about the biological father from what he knew about him because of Caylee's stories. It took close to foty-five minutes to tell Finn all he could.
"And that's everything about him, what he did to Caylee, his prison time, and all I've done since becoming a part of Caleb's life. I even have pictures, videos, all documents saying Caylee has me as his emergency contact, and everything I've bought and provided for him. Clothes, diapers, shelter, food, and toys." Hanson finished his story. "It's...enough right? For the judge to give me Caleb back?"
"Well, in court cases like these, we never know what's going to happen. The court rules in favor of the person who can provide the best lifestyle for the child. Some believe the child should be with the biological parent, it really all depends on the judge we get," Finn informed as Hanson began to worry, "Fortunately for us, the judges aren't allowed to use personal beliefs to determine best interest for the child. And with all this, plus the fact that Hazel is Caleb's little sister, we stand a very good chance at getting Caleb back home. The main factor is how long court will take." he added.
Hanson nodded, it might take a little while but he would get his son back. "Dinner time!" Aubree called from the kitchen. "You staying, Hanson? I made one of your favorites; baked shells with broccoli covered in double cheese and ritz crackers," she added with a smile.
"I guess I can stay, but then home to my daughter. Big day tomorrow," Hanson replied to her as she nodded and then they all moved into the kitchen to eat dinner. Hanson was going to get a good nights sleep because tomorrow he was going to be in for a long fight to get his son back and he had to be ready for anything.
