AN: ARGH! This was supposed to have been posted yesterday! I couldn't log onto my profile to upload anything due to site maintenance, unfortunately...anyway, day-late Snoggletog gift for you guys! Sorry...

Chapter Four: The Aftermath

Snoggletog came and went and everyone on Berk could easily agree that it had been one of the best holidays yet. True, some Vikings were still missing their dragons given that some had gone off to the Rookery that year, but they were satisfied in the knowledge that they would return soon with their own new families in tow.

Stoick had also officially announced that he would remain chief until Hiccup reached the age of twenty in just under two years time. During his speech, he mentioned how much confidence he had that his son would continue to lead the tribe as a strong chief and begin a new legacy in what he'd discovered throughout his life, knowing that he could bring the island into an era of peace. Hiccup had visibly glowed with pride even in the orange light of the fires that lit the Great Hall and Astrid couldn't have been prouder of her husband – after all of the stick he'd taken throughout his life and all he'd done to prove himself, he deserved to hear the words that came from his father's mouth that evening.

During their visit, Kyra and Artair officially announced that they were expecting their first child, receiving a great deal of congratulations from the Hairy Hooligans who were overjoyed that both of the Haddock siblings were about to start families of their own and continue their family line. For reasons unknown to everyone, including Hiccup, Kyra seemed certain that she was going to have a girl despite the constant wishes from others for her to have a son.

"To be fair, I don't really mind as long as they're healthy," she shrugged when Hiccup asked her about this. "I'm just hoping they don't inherit this," she noted, pointing at her dragon left eye.

"Something tells me the kid will have your eyes," Artair teased. Kyra gave her husband a playful shove.

"Whatever – I'm hoping she's got your hair," she joked, ruffling Artair's jet black mop. Hiccup and Astrid laughed with them. "What about you two? Any idea what the kid will look like?"

"Who knows?" Hiccup shrugged.

"Personally I'm hoping he has Hiccup's eyes," Astrid admitted. Hiccup glanced at her. "What? I'm a sucker for green eyes."

"I'm still hoping he gets your social skills," Hiccup noted in his usual dry humoured tone.

"OUCH!"

"Nudged!" the twins chorused from the other side of the hall. Astrid glared at them in reply – if looks could kill, Ruffnut and Tuffnut would have been six feet under at least ten times already. Hiccup decided to cheer her up. A waltz had just struck up and it had been a while since the soon-to-be chief and his wife had been on the dance floor.

"May I have this dance, milady?" he asked with his trademark smile creeping onto his face as he bowed and offered his hand to Astrid, whose face automatically lit up.

"Sure, you may," she grinned, accepting the offer and letting Hiccup lead her to the dance floor where her mind drifted away from the baby growing inside her. This time next month, it would officially be part of the family. Until then, Astrid decided to enjoy having Hiccup to herself as the couple twirled and glided across the dance floor.

Snoggletog on Berk can often bring unexpected surprises, but no matter what the holiday throws at us we always find a way to make something good out of it. When we first heard that Windwalker was sick, we never would have guessed that she would bring such a beautiful little light into our lives – and now we have even more little surprises to wait for.

We anticipate many surprises in life and sometimes we can even guess what they're gonna bring. But it's the surprises we don't guess – the ones that we allow to remain surprises – that bring the best joy in the world.

And that is the best gift that any family could ever wish for.

The End – Happy Snoggletog!