Welcome to a story of mine that is filled with tragedy! Hmm, probably not the best way to start that...

Hiccup Haddock and Astrid Hofferson are together, and life is great. Until the news that Astrid is expecting hits, and Hiccup is forced to make decisions that may very well affect the rest of their lives...

I have several ideas floating around for this one, so who knows where this will go. I'll be discovering this stuff with you guys, I feel. What fun!

Enjoy!

Hiccup Haddock smiled as he watched the sunset. Clear days and nights were rare on Berk, so the chance to see the sun actually set was rare. If only Astrid could have been there…

Life was going good for Hiccup Haddock. He had a wonderful girlfriend in Astrid Hofferson, and surrogate parents in hers. His own parents were gone. His mother dead, and his father was off fighting the Outcasts. The Hoffersons had come to see Hiccup as the son they had never had.

Hiccup was not lacking in the friends department either. His best friend was named Theodore, but nicknamed by five-year old Hiccup as 'T'. His other friends included his cousin Simon, or Snotlout depending on who you asked, Tobias and Rachel Thorston, or Ruffnut and Tuffnut, and Finley Ingerman, known as Fishlegs.

Hiccup and Astrid were the only ones in their gang of friends who did not have a nickname. Hiccup was such an odd name that a nickname would only be beneficial, and Astrid had threatened Snotlout and Tuffnut when they had attempted a nickname.

His phone buzzed, and Hiccup glanced down, smiling as Astrid's image appeared on the screen. He answered the call with a grin. "Afternoon, Milady. Where have you been?"

A chuckle was heard. Don't tell me you're at the docks watching the sunset without me?

Hiccup looked down at the water. "Nope. I'm at the docks watching the water. Wouldn't dream of watching the sunset without you."

One day, Mister Sassy, I'll make you stop being sarcastic.

Hiccup laughed. "If you stop me from being sarcastic, Milady, I very well might go insane. Besides, I thought you liked it?"

Astrid scoffed. I said one day. Not today. She paused. Hicc, I need a favour.

Hiccup straightened, senses on edge. Astrid asking for a favour wasn't the odd part, she did it quite regularly, although just to him. What was odd was her calling him Hicc instead of her usual 'babe'. "Anything."

Astrid was quiet for a minute. I need you to meet me at Raven Point Park in half an hour. Please.

Hiccup nodded. "Okay." He detected something in her voice. "Ast? What's going on?"

Half an hour, Hiccup.

The connection died, and Hiccup stared at his phone for a moment before sliding it in his pocket. A second later, he pulled it back out and dialled another number.

Yeah?

Hiccup sighed. "Dag, it's Hiccup."

Brother! Hiccup winced at the loudness and pulled the phone away from his ear slightly. How have you been!

Hiccup smiled despite the earache. Dagur DeRange was one of his closest friends. His father, Oswald, had served with his father in the army until his death. Hiccup had made a silent vow to Oswald to always look after Dagur and his sister, Heather. "I'm fine. You?"

Fine. Just fine.

Hiccup frowned. Dagur didn't sound 'fine'. There were some days that the loss of his father hurt more than others, and on those days, Hiccup tried to provide a distraction. "Listen, I was thinking of having the gang over tonight. You and Heather in?"

The response was instantaneous. You bet! What time, Brother?

Hiccup thought for a moment. "Nine, my house." He stood and started walking to his vehicle. "You may want to bring night clothes."

Dagur agreed and the line disconnected as Hiccup climbed in his vehicle. "Raven Point Park." He mused, starting the car and driving away.

Raven Point Park was located in the middle of a heavy forest. In actuality, it was a cove, but the name park had stuck. Raven Point was one of the most secluded, peaceful areas in Berk. A lake was situated in the middle, and the only way in was a narrow pass in-between the rocks. Which barred about four-fiths of the population of Berk from entering.

Hiccup squeezed through the rocks, finding Astrid sitting at the edge of the lake, staring into the water. Slowly, he made his way over and sat down beside her. "Astrid?"

Astrid didn't even look away from her reflection. "Hey, Hiccup."

Hiccup frowned slightly. "What's going on?" He sat beside her. "What's wrong?"

Astrid sighed and looked at the stars. "You once promised me that you were with me, right? 'Whatever that means, whatever you want that to mean, I am with you'?"

Hiccup nodded, taking her hand. "There will aways be a Hiccup and Astrid." He smiled. "I meant it back then, and I mean it now." He squeezed her hand. "Astrid, what happened?"

Astrid finally looked at him. "I'm pregnant."

Hiccup stared. "What are you saying, that you're with child?"

Astrid laughed. "That's usually how it works, Hiccup." She grasped his hand. "I don't-don't know what to do."

Hiccup leaned into her. "It doesn't matter. We'll figure it out. Together." He looked at her. "There will always be a Hiccup and Astrid. Always."

Hiccup blearily opened his eyes to see headlights, and a figure squatting down beside him. "You're late."

Hiccup shook his head and stared at the proffered hand. "T?" He took and the hand and stood. "What time is it?"

T checked his watch. "Quarter to ten. The gang's at your house. Well, camped at your front door." He looked down at Astrid. "Should we wake her?"

Hiccup chuckled and pulled Astrid into his arms, carrying her to his vehicle. "Not if you want to die." He set her in the passenger seat and climbed in, starting the car. "Drive ahead. I'll meet you at my place."

As he drove, Hiccup reflected on the strange circumstances that allowed him to meet Theodore NightFury. The boy had been the son of a high ranking officer of an enemy to Berk named Drago. Hiccup's father and his men were able to defeat Drago, and found a young baby there. Stoick, unable to leave the child there to die, took him back with the Berkians.

From there, Theodore NightFury was raised in Berk by one of Stoick's men, until he was killed in battle. T, not wanting to live with someone else, opted to find a job and live alone, though he was currently benefiting from Stoick's job, just like Hiccup. In a lot of ways, the two boys were as close as brothers.

From beside Hiccup, Astrid groaned. "Babe?"

Hiccup smirked. "Well, good evening, sleepyhead."

"Wrfgl…" Astrid mumbled, seemingly going back to sleep. Until, a pothole in the road shook the vehicle, and her eyes snapped open. "Where are we?"

Hiccup fought the urge to laugh. "On the road."

Astrid narrowed her eyes at her boyfriend. "Why?"

Hiccup did laugh this time. "T found us asleep. He told me the gang was at my house and wanted in. And that it's late." He glanced over at Astrid. "I didn't want to disturb your beauty sleep, Milady."

Astrid sighed and slumped down. "How far away from your house are we?" She mumbled tiredly.

Hiccup smiled. "Five minutes."

Hiccup turned his car off and hopped out, carefully minding his left foot. Falling down in front of the guys would be embarrassing. As he turned his attention to the passenger seat, he saw that Astrid had once again fallen asleep. Tossing his house key to Snotlout, Hiccup opened the passenger door and gently grabbed Astrid, pulling her into his arms and carrying her into the house.

Once she was settled in, Hiccup turned and looked at his friends. Snotlout, Fishlegs, the Twins, Dagur, Heather and T. "I don't care what you guys do, as long as you don't break anything. Not waking Astrid should go without saying." He gestured around his house. "There's games downstairs, along with books." He looked at Snotlout. "I think we still have some popcorn somewhere around here."

As the guys scrambled, Hiccup sat down on the couch next to Astrid and sighed. He was going to be a father. It was hard to fathom. He wasn't sure what he was going to do. All he knew was that Astrid was going to need him more than ever in the next few months.

"Hiccup?"

Hiccup looked up and saw Heather looking at him. "Yeah?"

Heather sat down across from him. "You okay?"

Hiccup frowned. "Yeah? Why wouldn't I be?"

Heather sighed. "You seem off. Like something happened recently."

Hiccup stared out the window. "It's not important." He shook his head and stood, glancing down at the sleeping Astrid. "Where are the guys?"

Heather smiled. "Snot challenged Dagur and Fishlegs to some game, while the Twins are egging them on."

Hiccup chuckled. "Sounds like them." He gently leaned down and kissed Astrid's forehead. "Let's go check on them."

Hiccup was pleased as he made his way into the basement that nothing seemed to be broken. The gang was all huddled around his TV, watching the trio battle it out in some game. Bowls of snacks were haphazardly piled about the room.

You'd expect a lot of noise in the form of cheering or exclamations. But Hiccup's suggestion that they not wake up Astrid had them all quiet. Because an irritated Astrid Hofferson was not something you wanted to deal with.

Hiccup's phone rang, and he answered. "Hello?"

Hiccup? It was Mrs Hofferson. Is Astrid with you?

Hiccup mentally sighed. "Uhh, yeah, Mrs H. We were hanging out at the Cove, and she fell asleep. The guys were hanging out at my house, and I really didn't want to wake her."

Mrs Hofferson laughed. Probably wise. I just wanted to make sure she was with you. She's safe that way.

Hiccup could feel a blush creeping up. "Actually, I think I'm the safer of the two."

It's okay if she spends the night, just be sure to bring her back in the morning?

Hiccup smiled. "Absolutely."

The line disconnected, and Hiccup trudged back upstairs to check on his sleeping girlfriend.

For better or for worse, I am with you, Milady.

Those of you who have been following me for a while know how much I love unexpected tragedies. I also love raising your expectations and doing nothing at all. So, there. Dissect that!

I have a chapter out of this, the main plot, and ending worked out. I have absolutely no chapters in-between figured out. So, CajunBear73, time to let the plot bunnies out...

Thanks for reading!