A/N: FUN FACT. This was originally going to be the first chapter!
I'm apologizing now that this is rushed. I'm just so so so excited for the next chapter!

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Chapter Seven

Hiccup and Astrid stood outside their new home. They almost couldn't believe it. They bought a house together. It's still so much to take in. They're having twins in two months, getting married in a few months to a year.. A house. She watched Hiccup dig through the car for something before pulling out a small box and shoving it towards her "Take that inside."

Astrid looked at the box, frowning "What is it?"

"One of the lightest boxes in the car. Ash and everyone are coming over to help soon and since you can't carry anything -"

Astrid stopped him with a scoff "I can carry things."

"Yes. You're a tough strong babe that we've talked about, but you aren't suppose to lift things."

Astrid glared at him. Shooting it to Hiccup, the box, then her stomach before waddling over to the house, mumbling. She stopped once she walked through the front door, looking around. She couldn't help but smile to herself as she looked around and images flashed through her head.

Hiccup and their daughter sitting in the floor playing with toys. Hiccup laying in the floor with both the twins during tummy time. Teaching them how to walk. Potty training them. Teaching them to talk.. Them growing up.

Astrid sniffled, wiping her eyes with her free hand. They aren't even born yet. She shouldn't be getting so emotional over them growing up yet. Stupid hormones. She looked over her shoulder at Hiccup, who was now talking to Ruff and Fish who showed up. He's going to be such a good father. Is she going to be a good mother?

"Hofferson!" Astrid gave her friend a smile, quickly wiping her eyes before Ruff could judge her "Is that all you're carrying? Wow, where did all those muscles go?"

Astrid frowned, shaking her head and walking towards the kitchen "Shut it, Thorston. I would punch you in the mouth if I could."

Ruff snorted, opening the still empty fridge "When are you going to get some food? I'm starving."

"Aren't you going to help? We aren't going to feed you unless you help. I'm not able to lift anything, so get moving, Thorston. Hiccup is a string bean. He can't carry half those boxes."

"I'm going to tell him you called him a string bean."

Ruff dodged Astrid's fist as she walked by, laughing. Astrid rolled her eyes at her friend, turning to the box and looking in it. The lightest box they have is books? How nice. She could bring sheets or blankets or something bed related inside, couldn't she? She heard talking right outside the door before Hiccup walked in, giving Astrid an amused smile "String bean, huh?"

"It's not an insult!" he laughed, dropping the box in the middle of the living room. Or, their soon-to-be living room. Astrid fought against a smile "You know full well that you aren't strong enough to lift half those boxes."

He shrugged before backing out of the house "At least I can lift more than you for once."

Astrid's jaw dropped. Hiccup never says things like that to her. She shook her heard, letting a laugh slip out "Are you asking to not get laid anytime soon?"

"Trust me, Milady, I would never ask for that."

She rolled her eyes, wishing she had something to throw at him besides a book. She didn't want to hurt him "You're cut off!"

A laugh echoed through the door and Lout walked in, patting Hiccup on the shoulder. He smiled, shooting a wink towards Astrid "What did you do to get cut off from that? I can surely fill in for you."

Hiccup frowned, glaring at his cousin. Astrid made a noise of disgust from behind the counter "Stop talking right now before I cut a very important piece of your body off."

Hiccup snorted, giving Astrid a smile "That's my girl."

Astrid returned the smile, turning back to take all the books out. Hiccup turned, walking out. Astrid could hear him talking to someone but she wasn't sure who. Ruff and Fish had walked in, Lout was talking to them, and Ash had texted her that her and Tuff were going to be running a little late. Do they have more friends?

"Astrid," Lout started, walking to the counter and leaning against it "I need to tell you something."

Astrid groaned "I swear, Jorgenson, if this is another pick-up line so help me I will kill you."

"No, no.. Nothing like that for now. Uh, it's about who I brought with me." Astrid raised an eyebrow at her soon-to-be cousin "It's Heather."

"What? I thought we all hated her."

Lout backed away from the counter, distancing himself from Astrid "We ran into each other a few days ago and started catching up again, and I invited her to help. We're talking."

"You're so desperate," Ruff started, casually leaning against the counter and shooting both her friends smiles "that you're going for your cousins sloppy seconds?"

"I couldn't have said it any better myself, Ruff." Astrid agreed before turning her full attention back on Lout "Now, we all know you aren't an idiot, Lout.. So, why? She admitted to being in love with Hiccup before she ruined her friendships. What do you see in her?"

Hiccup walked back in, dropping another box with all the others. The look of confusion on his face said it all. Heather had been the one he was talking to. Great. He looked to his friends, pointing outside "Why is Heather here?"

"Lout is talking to her. He decided it would be a good idea to bring her. He's so smart, right babe?"

Hiccup frowned, walking over to stand next to Astrid. He narrowed his eyes at Lout "Why.. Why did you think that was a good idea?"

"Dude! You should be on my side!"

"Actually," Fish started in, stepping up to join the conversation "She is the reason they broke up those three days. So, I can see why no one here approves of her."

"Approves of who?"

They all looked towards the door at the voice. Heather. She gently sat the box down on top of the one Hiccup brought in. Astrid glared, slipping her arm around Hiccup's waist. If Heather was back in their lives, she'll make sure that girl doesn't get between them again.

"Judging by the faces, I'm guessing Lout told you that we've been talking.. Is it safe to assume you all don't care?"

The room was quiet. Lout looked anywhere but at Heather, faking a cough into his fist. Heather bit her lip, nodding "And I deserve this. Understandable. Hiccup, Astrid, I am so sorry for what I did to you two. It wasn't my intention. Lout told me the twins are due soon, congratulations! On that and the engagement."

Astrid and Hiccup made eye contact. Astrid was mentally asking if Heather was being serious. He only shrugged. Hiccup had known Heather longer, but apparently he had no idea either. Astrid looked back at Heather, nodding slowly "Thanks, Heather." Hiccup nodded in agreement.

Ashton and Tuff came through the door laughing. Ashton paused, furrowing her brows and motioning to Heather "Why is Heather here?"

Lout groaned, backing away from the counter.

00000

Astrid and Hiccup were laying in their bed that night. Astrid was staring up at the ceiling, her hands resting on her stomach. Hiccup was laying next to her, one of his hands rubbing her arm. The day had been interesting, to say the least. They moved in to their new house, Heather came back in to their lives, and to make things even better, Ashton called a few minutes after she left to tell her that their dad had called their mom and was looking to talk to them. Great.

"Is your dad that bad?"

"He's not a nice guy, babe. I don't want him anywhere near my – our – children. I left him as soon as I could."

Hiccup gave her a smile. Anything she wants, she gets. Astrid and Ashton had never seemed fond of their dad from what they said about him. He doesn't want their kids around him, either. He turned onto his side, resting his arm across her stomach "Then he won't be in their lives. You're their mom, you get to decide, milady."

"You parents are the only set of Godparents they need. And my mom, obviously."

Hiccup smiled at her stomach "Two more months.."

Astrid smiled at him, scooting closer to him "We need to go baby shop tomorrow. Two cribs, changing tables.. maybe we can go with one changing table? Oh! Blue and pink paint! We have a month to get their room together."

"You've got it all planned out."

"You bet." she leaned over, pressing a kiss to his cheek "so, shopping for the babies tomorrow."

"Whatever you want to do, milady."

00000

"Does it matter what kind of crib we get?"

Astrid frowned, looking over all the different choices. They all look the same to her, but their prices just keep getting higher and higher as she looks. She tilted her head, looking between all the many different brands.

Who knew their were so many cribs?

"I mean.. What is the difference really?"

Hiccup walked up behind her, resting a hand on her lower back, tossing a pack of diapers he had picked up in to the cart. He stared at all the cribs with her. They really shouldn't have slacked in getting the cribs. Maybe his mom could help? Or Astrid's? But really, does the type of crib matter?

"Oh! Car seats. Do you want to choose the crib or car seat?"

"You've been glaring at the cribs long enough. I'm almost scared they're going to explode. You go pick out the car seats, I'll try and do this."

Astrid smiled, turning quickly to press a kiss to his cheek "You're the best. Am I going to have a lot of choices again?"

Hiccup smiled, watching Astrid waddle over towards the car seats. Really though, what was the difference in all the cribs? The prices definitely, but does brand matter? Him and Astrid want what's best for their twins. Expensive the better, right? He could call his mom or Ms. Hofferson, but him and Astrid need to do this on their own. His phone rang, and he pulled it out, half hoping to see his parents name.

"Yes, milady?"

"Can you bring me the cart? I found some car seats.. and I forgot that I can't lift anything heavy."

"I'll be right there."

Hiccup smiled, hanging up and shoving his phone in his pocket. He grabbed the cart and started walking towards the aisle Astrid was in. His fiancee is perfect. She's hostile and amazing. She's beautiful. She's tough. She's carrying his twins. Twins that should be here soon, and are going to mean the entire world to them. How did he get so lucky?

"Which ones are they?"

Astrid spun around to face him, a smile on her face "These two! This was so much easier to choose than the cribs."

"Perfect. We can choose the cribs together, then."

Astrid walked away and back towards the cribs while Hiccup put the car seats in their almost full cart. He could hear her mumbling to herself as she walked away. He shook his head fondly, following after her.

Car seats? Check. Changing table? Check. Diapers? Check. Baby clothes? Check. Astrid tilted her head. Had she decided if she were breast feeding or not? Does she need things for that? Bottles. They need bottles. Did they get them? She ran a hand through her hair, tugging at the end of her braid. This is so stressful. They shouldn't have slacked. Maybe they should have done all this a long time ago.. but they had nowhere to put it.

"I'm going to rip my hair out."

Hiccup frowned, standing behind her and resting his hands on her shoulders, gently massaging them as they stared at the multiple selections of cribs. He hummed "Recalls?"

Astrid tilted her head, looking over at him "What?"

"Some cribs have had recalls. Let's base it on that."

"I'm so glad I'm marrying someone who has a brain."

It took the couple twenty minutes, but they finally found the perfect crib. In their online searching of recalls, they found that twins could share their crib until they start rolling and bumping each other. This works for the couple. They were already way past their budget. Unloading would be fun. Setting up would be a pain. They are excited though.

00000

The couple fell into bed that night. Hiccup had done most the work. Setting up the cribs, and the changing table. Astrid helped, but not being able to lift things was hard enough. She could barely bend over. The twins made her life difficult… but she already loves them beyond words.

"Two. Months."

"Yeah." Astrid nodded, smiling up at the ceiling "We can paint after they are born. I'm too exhausted for any more work. And I hurt."

"Whatever you want to do, milady. You okay?"

Astrid sighed, tossing and turning, just trying to get comfortable. Hiccup could tell she was uncomfortable… but why? She's hurting, he knows that much. But why? Is there anything he could do to help her?

Astrid frowned, throwing her head back, her hands going to her stomach. She doesn't like this feeling at all. It's.. Too painful for her liking. Why is she suddenly cramping? She can't be..

"Oh no."

"What?"

Astrid shook her head, taking a deep breath "I think… No, I'm positive that the babies are coming."