Warning: This chapter contains miscarriage
Hiccup ran his hand through his hair as he paced back and forth outside of his bedroom. Another scream came from inside and his mind raced back to earlier that day.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"For the thousandth time, Hiccup. I'm fine."
The Chief sighed and placed a hand on his wife's cheek. "You're too stubborn for you're own good, have I told you that?"
"You've probably mentioned it once or twice," Astrid teased and Hiccup placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Be safe today."
"Always." With that, the couple went their separate ways for the day.
He wished he had stayed with her. Gods, he wished he hadn't left her side. Maybe what happened next could've been avoided...
"So, if we move one of the pastures up to that cliff, maybe it'll-"
"Chief! Chief!" Hiccup, who was discussing some new village ideas with Gobber, turned to see two villagers racing towards him.
"What is it?" he didn't like the worried looks on their faces.
"The Chieftess... She was holding a meeting when she complained about stomach pain and then collapsed. You must hurry!" One of the vikings explained. Hiccup stood there for a moment and processed the information before he took off running, headed towards the Great Hall.
There, curled up in the fetal position and hands clutching her abdomen, was Astrid. Eret and Fishlegs were beside her, obviously unsure what do to. Snotlout and the twins were busy keeping people back from crowding around the three. Hiccup rushed to her side and, kneeling down, he gathered her up in his arms. "Astrid? Astrid, can you hear me?"
A moan escaped her pale lips. "H-Hiccup?"
"I'm here, Astrid. It's me," he sighed slightly in relief. At least she was responsive.
"The baby, Hiccup. The-"
"I know. I know, Astrid..." Hiccup tried to comfort her and not freak out.
"I-It hurts. It hurts so bad," Astrid buried her face into Hiccup's chest and clutched his shirt in her hands. The young viking gulped when he saw beads of sweat forming on her forehead and neck.
"Chief, we should get her to Gothi," Eret commented from his spot on the floor. "By now she's probably at your hut."
Hiccup nodded numbly and stood up, his wife in his arms. "You're going to be okay, Astrid. Everything's going to be okay." Astrid mumbled something against Hiccup's chest that he couldn't understand. He winced when he felt her back arch and hands tighten, knowing she was in pain. "Just a little longer, Astrid. We're almost there... Hang on, hang on."
"Hiccup!"
Hiccup reluctantly moved his eyes off of Astrid and saw his mother standing in the doorway of their house. "Mom! What are you doing here?"
"Give her to me," Valka ignored his question. She had been alerted by Gobber about Astrid and went straight to their home, awaiting the couple.
Gothi ordered Hiccup to lay her on the bed upstairs. After he did as he was told, he began asking questions. " Is she going to be okay? What's wrong with her?" Gothi shook her head and shooed him away.
When Hiccup didn't move, Valka came closer to her son. "Listen, Hiccup. Gothi has to work. You need to leave."
"No! I'm not leaving her!"
"Hiccup-"
"I'm NOT leaving her!" Gobber grabbed Hiccup from behind and dragged him to the living room. "Gobber? No! Let me back in there! She needs me!"
"Hiccup, calm down," Gobber said as he closed the door.
"No! No, please. Let me go back in! Please, let me-"
"HICCUP! Stop it!" The blacksmith yelled and pulled the young Chief into a hug.
"Astrid! Astrid..." Hiccup cried and fought against Gobber before finally quieted down to small hiccups. He winced when he heard a scream come from inside their bedroom. knowing it was Astrid.
Gothi and Valka worked late into the night. Hiccup refused to get some sleep and stayed right outside his and Astrid's bedroom. Eret, Gobber, and Snotlout agreed to stay as well, afraid he might do something stupid. The three saw Hiccup cringe at every scream that came from inside.
At long last, Valka exited the room and Hiccup turned as soon as he heard the door open. "Is Astrid okay?" The older woman nodded slightly.
"And the baby? Did they-" his mother slowly shook her head and his eyes went to her apron, which had more splotches of blood than he wanted. Astrid's blood. "No... No..." Hiccup shook his head.
"Hiccup-" Eret said from behind him.
"Where is she?"
"Resting," Valka answered.
"I'm going to see her."
"But-"
"I'm going to see her. She is my wife," Hiccup ignored their quiet protests and walked into the bedroom.
Valka went to follow him but Gobber placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. "It's not our place. Let them be. We must talk about what'll happen next."
"Call a meeting," she ordered and Snotlout and Eret nodded.
Hiccup sighed as saw Astrid. Her face was paler than he had ever seen before and her breathing was shallow. Still, he was just glad she was alive. Gothi hurriedly cleaned up her supplies and left, wanting to give the couple some privacy. "Astrid," he climbed into bed next to her and took her hand. She didn't move and he guessed that Gothi had given her some herb that would sedate her. Still, Hiccup needed her. He needed to feel her, to touch her, to tell her that they had lost the baby.
The baby.
The one they conceived just two moons after beginning to try for the new addition. The one that Astrid and Hiccup wanted so, so, badly. The one who was supposed to be the future Chief or Chieftess of New Berk.
They had lost what they wanted the most. The chance for a family of their own. Astrid would never forgive herself after this, Hiccup knew that.
And he made his decision right then and there. No matter what happened, he would be there for her and push his own feelings aside. No matter how hard it would be.
I know, I know, what the heck did I just do? Don't worry! Hiccstrid will survive this and maybe... There will be a small surprise later on. (No spoilers!)
