=Normal POV=
[Saturday, 2/23/2019; 4:00 pm]
[Berk; Haddock/Forger House]
Unlike last year, Hayden semi-enjoyed the holidays. This wasn't to say that he didn't get upset with the absence of his parents for the second year, but he made it through a bit easier with his Godfather, son, boyfriend, family, and friends. Hayden was welcoming and didn't hide away refusing to eat his food. Thanksgiving was quiet; Hayden and Gabriel invited over the Jorgenson Family to join them for the main meal, and afterward, Hayden invited Trayden to come for desserts. Christmas involved going to the Raseri Home after Trayden learned that Hayden, Spencer, and Gabriel were spending it alone. Trayden talked with his parents, and they were happy to allow Hayden, his Godfather, and son to join them for the meal. And then for desserts; all of the friends managed to come over too.
It was an attempt to let Hayden know that while his parents weren't with him; he was not alone. And the hope of such feelings was realized when Hayden thanked all of them for a great Christmas and that it meant a lot to him. Trayden and Hayden exchanged gifts; Trayden got Hayden a new wallet since the old one was falling apart, and Hayden gave Trayden one of his guitars. It had been one that Trayden loved using because of how it felt when he played it and loved the design too. Trayden tried to refuse the gift, but Hayden insisted saying that he had plenty. The thanks was a hug and kiss from Trayden to Hayden. Hayden got everyone else, meaning his friends, cousins, aunt, and uncle, prepaid credit cards so that they could go out and get whatever they wanted.
Midterms were over; they finished the week before holiday break. Hayden passed with all A's, Trayden passed with A's and B's. The rest did pretty well on their exams too. The New Year was fun to bring in; there was a party at the Grimborn Residence. Hayden went for a little while but then went home to enjoy things with Gabriel and little Spencer. Shockingly, at 10 pm, just an hour after Hayden left the celebration; the friends showed up at Hayden and Gabriel's house to keep things going with him, and his son included. It was a heart-touching moment because Hayden cried a little when Trayden said that he was their friend and it wasn't right not having him there too.
Hayden's psychiatry appointments were going well too; he was opening up more with Harry Anderson, being able to talk about the different events in full detail of what he went through in each foster home. The process had become that Hayden talks; they spend a few sessions working through it and then moving on to the next bit to cope with. Hayden was getting through things at a steady pace, but there were still things he struggled with, and it would take longer to recover fully. There would always be moments and times when things were hard for Hayden; none of what he went through was fair or easy.
Everyone in Hayden's life, friends, family, or boyfriend were all in Hayden's corner, ready and willing to help when Hayden felt down and upset. Also, on a note that made Hayden happy; Bradley Holgerson was locked up in prison for the next ten years. A statement from his sister is what put him away, and in exchange for that statement; Olivia's sentence was moved to only ten years since she and Brad did the same things to Hayden in the same timeframe. This happened at the start of February. Both Brad and Olivia would have to register as sex offenders when they got out and would be on parole for a year, and neither of them could go near Hayden or his son, Spencer.
School got back into session on Tuesday, January 2, 2019; the only thing to change was that instead of Physical Education, they had Health for the rest of the year in the A-Hall during the first period. Little Spencer Gabriel Haddock was four months old and doing wonderfully. Hayden had him on a perfect schedule for feedings and had started doing jar food; the baby was in great health too. Officially now, it was February 2019, and just three days from Hayden and Trayden's four-month anniversary of dating one another. The relationship was going well, and both males were happy.
Hayden was a dedicated student, single father, and boyfriend; somehow he managed to do it all without being overwhelmed and give everyone the same attention. Hayden and Trayden tried to go out at least twice a month; sometimes it was more. Hayden attended the sleepovers when they were planned, but his first night away from Spencer didn't go so great, and he ended up leaving around 12:30 am from the Jorgenson Home. Nobody knew until around 6:45 am when Trayden woke up and found Hayden and his things gone. Trayden woke the group up to ask if anyone knew where Hayden was, and after they all replied 'no idea,' Trayden called Hayden to ask, and Hayden honestly answered that he missed his son and didn't like being away from him all night yet. That was back in December before the holiday break.
Everyone understood of course, and Hayden promised to try and be more ready for the next one, which got moved and postponed several times for various reasons until tonight; the birthday party of Trayden and Hayden turning 19 at the end of the month. Hayden was hosting since Trayden did it last year, and it would be friends, the Jorgenson, and Raseri Families. Devon, Miya, and the two families would not be staying overnight, except for Syrus and Alicia. Andrew would also not be showing up or staying as he was overseas on his tour of duty.
Gabriel walked to the door after hearing a few knocks while holding Spencer in his arms. Opening the door; he saw everyone lined up outside and smiling. "I completely forgot about the party tonight," Gabriel greeted. "Hayden's having one of his days,"
"How bad?" Trayden inquired.
"Hard to say. He isn't locking himself up in the bedroom, or freaking out; he's calm, but miserable if that makes sense. I don't know if he remembered the party either; Hayden's been downstairs working on a song he started a while back. I typically don't stop him when he wants to work on his music; I know it's a therapeutic thing for him," Gabriel shrugged, allowing everyone inside. "You're welcome to head down; I was heading to check on him anyway," he added.
"You first," Dustin smiled as Gabriel started down the stairs and entered the basement; it didn't take long for everyone else to do the same only to find Hayden sitting at his desk, headphones on, and working on something.
"Hey, babe," Trayden smiled.
"Forget it, lad; he can't hear nothing with those things on," Gabriel chuckled.
"Does he even know we're here?" Silas blinked.
"I know you're here," Hayden tapped the spacebar and pulled the headphone off. "Hard to miss the giant group walking in," he added.
"True," Rachel giggled. Trayden walked over and kissed Hayden's cheek, earning a smile for the action.
"Happy birthday," Trayden said.
"Thanks, you too, baby," Hayden replied and then leaned up to kiss Trayden's lips.
"So what ya working on, laddie?" Gabriel inquired.
"Little something. Just finished putting the music together," Hayden responded.
"Can we hear it?" Trayden wondered.
"Not yet," Hayden shook his head. "It's not finished," he added. "Besides, it's your birthday present,"
"You made a song for my birthday?" Trayden inquired. Hayden nodded to him, smiling.
"I just gonna finish the lyrics, hopefully by tonight or tomorrow," Hayden replied.
"Oh, I can't wait then," Trayden chuckled.
"But for now, party time," Hayden said as he saved his work and got up out of his chair and moved over to Gabriel and took Spencer from him; the almost five-month-old waved his arms and giggled a little. "Hello, my boy," Hayden rubbed his nose to Spencer's, smiling.
"Oh, he's so cute…" Rachel swooned.
"Can we have another one?" Felicia and Rachel asked their husband's together.
"NO!" Syrus, Alicia, Trayden, Dex, Aria, Eliot, and Cole yelled. Dustin and Silas blinked a few times and then laughed a bit.
"You and Dad don't need any more kids!" Dex stated to his mother, Rachel.
"Isn't five enough?" Eliot muttered.
"You two really wanna start over?" Alicia asked Silas and Felicia.
"I wouldn't mind," Silas shrugged. "You and your brother were good babies," Syrus and Alicia facepalmed. Hayden went over to Rachel and held Spencer out to her.
"Would you like to hold him?" Hayden asked. Rachel nodded her head quickly as Hayden set Spencer into her waiting arms. Hayden stepped back with Trayden as Rachel enjoyed her baby moment.
"You just made her whole day," Dustin chuckled.
"So, what do you guys wanna do first?" Hayden questioned facing the others. Sure, it might have been a party for him and Trayden turning 19, but everyone should get to have a good time.
. . .
[9:00 pm]
The friends spent a good portion of time gaming and talking about the fact their Senior Year was almost over. Spencer was passed around between the older adults but ended up back with Hayden during dinner time. The meal for supper pizza and Hayden's famous baked macaroni and cheese, and this happened around 6 pm. Everyone was enjoying the night, those who weren't staying overnight would be leaving soon. Right about now, everyone was relaxing downstairs watching Wonder Woman; it was just about over. Hayden was sitting at his desk, working with a notebook out.
"You know…It just dawned on me that the talent show is towards the end of May and we've barely gotten any practice in," Alyssa mentioned, looking at the others.
"I've got the song ready," Hayden interjected. "Finished it at the beginning on February,"
"So we just need time to get together and work on it," Ford said.
"Well, since we had so much trouble last year; I took it upon myself to get everyone's parts separated," Hayden remarked as he got up and went into his file cabinet, grabbing a folder and moving towards the friends and handing papers out to different people. "These are your pieces, and I included the full lyrics and a private link to where the song is stored online so you can listen and make sure you're where you should be on queues or notes,"
"Wow, awesome," Syrus stated.
"All we need is couple days when everyone is free to see how it goes together," Trayden informed.
"Shouldn't be too hard," Rylee added.
"Would we meet here?" Tyler wondered.
"Or at school again?" Alicia asked.
"I don't think school is the best idea," Hailey frowned. "Our song got stolen last time,"
"She has a point," Ford nodded.
"Guys, we can meet here; I have the setup," Hayden reminded. "We just gotta find times where we can meet for an hour or so to practice together,"
"I think we can manage that," Mindy replied. "But wait, who is going to be the drummer?"
"We'll need time to teach someone new," Syrus agreed.
"Well, if Trayden has no objections to singing by himself…I can drum since I don't need to get taught, and I already know those parts since I wrote the lyrics and music," Hayden shrugged.
"I think I can handle one song," Trayden nodded.
"Guess that problem is solved now," Devon chuckled a bit.
"How goes the song you are working on for Tray?" Katie asked.
"Just about finished it," Hayden said. "Working on the final lyrics now," he added.
"Think we can hear it tonight?" Trayden hoped. "I know I want to,"
"There's a good chance," Hayden smiled.
"What kind of song is it?" Hailey wondered now.
"The kind you listen to," Hayden grinned.
"Dude, not cool," Tyler muttered.
"What genre or style?" Alicia tried now.
"The homemade kind," Hayden responded as the friends groaned in defeat. Trayden only laughed a little as he moved next to Hayden, kissing his cheek.
"Come on, tell me?" Trayden questioned gently.
"You're too cute sometimes," Hayden smiled a bit as he scooted back in his chair and brought Trayden down to sit in his lap, locking his arms around his waist. "You want to know?"
"I do," Trayden nodded. "So please? Please? Please? You know I love you…Pretty please?" Trayden asked. Hayden looked at him a moment. Trayden just said; I Love You to Hayden. Their relationship thus far had been on a like only base. But Trayden just said it, and shockingly, Hayden was fine with that because the song he wrote for Trayden was on the words being told I Love You.
The friends were a bit surprised; they knew Hayden and Trayden were on a like basis. They even went around saying; Like You instead of Love You. Hayden smiled now.
"You know you just told me you love me, right?" Hayden inquired as Trayden nodded.
"That's how I feel, and I don't mind waiting to see if you feel the same," Trayden admitted.
"You know…I don't think I need all that much time to figure it out. Just…Say it one more time for me?" Hayden asked.
Trayden looked right in Hayden's eyes. "I love you,"
"Now, how can I say no to that face," Hayden hugged Trayden a bit. "I'll sing the song for you, and maybe it'll give you my answer," he had Trayden get off his lap as he moved to the computer and played the music only track. Trayden moved to sit in front of Hayden on the mini-stage where the basic set up of instruments was; drums, guitars, piano, microphone, etc.
"If the heart is always searching, can you ever find a home? I've been looking for that someone; I'll never make it on my own. Dreams can't take the place of loving you; there's gotta be a million reasons why it's true…" Hayden started on his queue with the music.
"When you look me in the eyes and tell me that you love me. Everything's alright when you're right here by my side. When you look me in the eyes; I catch a glimpse of Heaven. I find my paradise…When you look me in the eyes," Hayden continued, his eyes never leaving Trayden's. Of course, Tray was just listening and holding onto every word Hayden sang.
"How long will I be waiting, to be with you again? I'm gonna tell you that I love you, in the best way that I can. I can't take a day without here. You're the light that makes my darkness disappear…" Hayden smiled softly, and Trayden found himself doing the same. This was Hayden's response to what Trayden said to him; the I Love You.
"When you look me in the eyes and tell me that you love me. Everything's alright when you're right here by my side. When you look me in the eyes; I catch a glimpse of Heaven. I find my paradise…When you look me in the eyes," Hayden took a breath as the music continued.
"More and more; I start to realize. I can reach my tomorrow. I can hold my head up high," Hayden offered his hand to Trayden, who placed his in Hayden's. Hayden pulled Trayden up and next to him, staring into his eyes. "And it's all because you're by my side…When you look me in the eyes," the music lightened a bit as Hayden and Trayden's fingers intertwined. "And tell me that you love me. Everything's alright when you're right here by my side. When I hold you in my arms,"
Hayden turned Trayden so that Trayden's back was against Hayden's front, and holding him gently. "I know that it's forever. I just gotta let you know…I never wanna let you go. 'Cause when you look me in the eyes and tell me that you love me. Everything's alright when you're right here by my side. When you look me in the eyes; I catch a glimpse of Heaven. I find my paradise…When you look me in the eyes," Hayden fixed Trayden, so they were looking into one another's eyes again as the music faded. (Song was When You Look Me In The Eyes by The Jonas Brothers.)
Hayden cupped Trayden's cheek, leaning up and kissing him deeply. Afterward, Hayden broke the action and smiled softly. "In case it wasn't clear…That's how I feel when you look in my eyes and tell me that you love me. Even though it was only the once; I've…Had a lot of dreams about it over the last month leading up to today. It…Inspired the song. If…You hadn't said it first; I planned to tell you later tonight after performing the song. So to keep to the plan…" Hayden looked into Trayden's eyes. "I love you,"
"Best birthday present was hearing you say those words," Trayden smiled.
"Wouldn't you know it? That's what I wanted too," Hayden chuckled. "Love you,"
"Love you too," Trayden replied.
"Oh, what's that sound I-," Gabriel started.
"You zip it before I kick your butt!" Hayden warned.
"I'd like to see you try it, kiddo," Gabriel laughed.
"Get me mad enough and find out," Hayden grumbled. "Remember who trained me, Uncle Gabe…You and Dad. Neither of you could beat me after I turned 17, and right before you went to Iraq," he stuck his tongue out at Gabriel.
"Gabriel, is this true?" Dustin blinked.
"Every bit of it," Gabriel nodded. "Hayden spent since he was about 10 training in Mixed Martial Arts between his father and me. At 15; he could beat his father in a real match. And by 16 he could beat me. But at 17; he could beat us both at the same time. His super small figure, quick reaction time, and speed give him quite the advantage. He's even beaten some of my military friends, and he's a lot stronger than he looks," the man added in.
"I was beginning to wonder where those fighting skills popped up when you went against Marcus," Trayden blinked a bit. Hayden shrugged his shoulder a little with a smile.
"Now you know," Hayden replied gently. "So, you wanna see if I can still do it, Uncle Gabe?" he inquired.
"Nope, I'll pass, thanks," Gabriel put his hands up, stepping back.
"Those skills would come in handy for the police force," Silas mentioned.
"Not sure I'd be able to join with my mental history or two trips to the nut house…" Hayden said calmly.
"You're getting help for all that," Rachel added in.
"But having to handle cases like what I dealt with; don't think that'd be great if I fell into a flashback or panic attack. It doesn't matter how much help I get; those things can always come back. You can push back, and distract, but you never forget the things you've been through. That's something Dr. Anderson told me a few sessions back when I asked if I'd ever be able to forget. I appreciated his honesty," Hayden revealed.
"But you don't have to be a cop that handles foster care situations, or things like what you went through, Hayden. You could work at a desk, be a traffic cop, patrolling for speeders or responding to crashes," Dustin informed.
"It's something to think about, lad. You're almost done with High School now; you'll need to figure out what you're doing with the rest of your life," Gabriel reminded. "You're good at a lot of things,"
"Eh…" Hayden responded. "I think for now; I'll just enjoy my last couple of months of High School; then figure things out over the Summer," he admitted.
"And that's a good plan to have," Trayden hugged him. "If it makes ya feel better; I have no idea what I'm doing either," he chuckled. "But how about we just focus on tonight? Our birthday party, and go from here?"
"I think that's an idea I can get behind," Hayden nodded.
