Chapter 9: The Greatest Gift of All

Location: Sea

Date: February 27

Time: 10:10 a.m.

(Hiccup's PoV)

"Astrid!" Hiccup cried out in alarm as his wife vomited over the rail.

He ran to her side, putting a hand on her back, rubbing it gently. As soon as she stopped, she looked up at him, panting.

"You okay?" Hiccup asked worriedly.

"I think so," Astrid gasped, putting a hand on her temple.

"Do you feel seasick?" he asked.

"No," Astrid said, "I don't feel sick at all, I feel just fine. I don't know what happened."

"That's odd, you throwing up and feeling just fine," Hiccup said. He removed his fur-lined chieftain's cloak from his back, folded it up and laid it down against the rail. "Why don't you lie down and rest a while? We'll be back before you know it."

Astrid nodded and lay down on the deck, propping the side of her head against the folded up cloak.

"If you still feel nauseous later, I'll take you to your mom and Gothi. They'll figure out what's wrong," Hiccup continued, kneeling down beside her.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with me, Hiccup, but, okay, if you insist, you're the Chief," Astrid said.

Hiccup smiled and stroked her hair. Still, he couldn't help but feel a little baffled. How is it that a person could feel A-okay and still throw up? It was very strange indeed.

Location: Bottom of the Cliffs of New Berk

Date: February 27

Time: 12:15 p.m.

(Astrid's PoV)

"Well, if it isn't the lovebirds!" Gobber boomed cheerfully.

Astrid smiled as she hopped over the rail and landed on the deck of another ship where Gobber, Valka and Ingrid were waiting to greet her and her husband. Again she stumbled a little before balancing herself up again.

"Hello, Astrid," Ingrid said, smiling and holding out her arms.

"Hey, Mom," Astrid said, hugging her mom and kissed her cheek.

"Welcome home, Chieftess," Gobber said, and then he turned to Hiccup who also hopped over. "Welcome home, Chief a.k.a. Birthday Boy."

"Uh, my birthday's not until tomorrow, Gobber," Hiccup pointed out, before turning to kiss his mom on the cheek.

"Well, whether it's today or tomorrow, I'd still like to wish you many happy returns," Gobber said, slapping Hiccup on the back with his good hand.

The force of Gobber's playful slap caused Hiccup to stumble forward toward the dock. Valka caught him and held him up straight.

"Thanks, Mom," he said gratefully.

"Don't mention it, dear," Valka said, "You might want to handle the "birthday boy" a little more gently, Gobber. We don't want him breaking any bones before or on his special day."

"Sorry, Val," Gobber said, flushing, "sometimes I forget my own strength."

"Well, now that the "lovebirds" are back, shall we head for home?" Valka asked.

"That's a great idea, Mom," Hiccup said.

"Uh, yeah, great idea," Astrid said uneasily, looking up from the bottom of the cliff and all the way to the top where the new village lay hidden in the valley. It would take about twenty minutes to get from the bottom to the top and ten minutes to get to their house. That was half an hour tops. Suddenly the very thought of it made Astrid feel unusually tired. And she was the kind of person who never got tired out. She sure could use Stormfly about now. This was very strange. First she didn't like the taste of fish last night and this morning she threw up and she was already feeling tired and she didn't even do any walking. What was going on with her?

Hiccup did mention that her mom and Gothi might be able to help her out. She turned to Ingrid and opened her mouth to say something but she closed it again. It must be a fluke, she decided, a temporary one hopefully.

12:55 p.m.

(Astrid's PoV)

Twenty minutes later, the two ships had been lifted up from the seawater and onto the safe cliffs of the island. Now they just had to take the ten minute walk to their house. They had just barely walked for five minutes and Astrid was already exhausted. She stopped and put her hands on her knees, heaving deep, exhausted breaths.

"You all right, Astrid?" Ingrid asked, concern in her voice.

"I'm fine, Mom," Astrid panted.

"Are you sure? It's not like you to get tired out so easily in the middle of a short walk."

"If you want I could carry you the rest of the way," offered Gobber.

"I said, I'm fine," said Astrid a little irritably.

"Okay, okay, you're fine," Gobber said, "if you say so."

Astrid noticed that Hiccup had a look of concern with a hint of disapproval on his face but Astrid turned away, pretending not to notice and continued walking. As she did, she looked all around the village. There was less snow on the ground and on the trees since she and Hiccup had left. Just like at Honeymoon Island, the ground was soaked with cold water and mud. The sight made her smile. Although she didn't mind the winter chill, she couldn't wait to see the greenery of spring again.

Location: Haddock House

Date: February 27

Time: 12:58 p.m.

(Astrid's PoV)

"Home, sweet home," Hiccup said cheerfully, opening the door to their house and gesturing inside like a gentlemen, "after you, milady."

"Thanks, babe," Astrid said, stepping over the threshold.

She looked all around at the house that now belonged to both her and her husband. Suddenly, the sight of wooden chairs by the table looked so inviting to her and she was not the kind of person to sit no more than five minutes. She went over to one of the chairs, plopped down on it and heaved a heavy sigh.

"Comfy, are we?" Ingrid asked with a smile, stepping into the room with Hiccup close behind.

"Very," Astrid breathed.

"Well, we still have a few pickled salmon left in the storehouse, how about I fix one just for you tonight, Astrid? I'll make it just how you like it."

Suddenly, the thought of eating fish made Astrid sick to her stomach for the first time in her life. And salmon was one of her favorites. "Salmon? No thank you, Mom. I don't feel like a salmon."

"Oh, well, would you like something else then?"

"Yeah, how about…braised chicken thighs sprinkled with lots of salt with white beans and apple slices on the side?"

"Anything for my little girl," Ingrid said kindly.

"Thanks, Mom," Astrid said gratefully.

Ingrid nodded. "Now if the both of you will excuse me, I must go back to Gothi's and help her finish mixing those elixirs."

"Okay, Ingrid, we'll see you at the Great Hall tonight," Hiccup said, holding the door for her.

Astrid watched as Ingrid stepped outside and Hiccup closed the door behind her. When he turned to face her, the look of concern and disapproval returned to his face. Only this time, he looked more disapproving than concerned.

"What?" Astrid asked.

"Why didn't you tell her?" Hiccup asked, folding his arms.

"Tell her what?"

"Don't get funny with me, Astrid. I saw how exhausted you looked as we were walking back to this house and you don't get tired out that easily. You could have told your mother you were feeling tired and that you threw up this morning than she could have figured out why. And another thing, why all of a sudden, did you turn down her offer of salmon? I thought it was one of your favorites."

"Hiccup, relax, I feel much better now, this is probably just a temporary fluke," Astrid insisted, getting a little annoyed, "and I can eat whatever I feel like, can I?"

"Of course you can," Hiccup said, "all right, I'll relax for now but if you throw up or tired out again, we're going straight to your mother and Gothi. Do I make myself clear?"

Astrid sighed. "Yes, Chief."

Location: Great Hall

Date: February 27

Time: 6:15 p.m.

(Hiccup's PoV)

As he sat beside Astrid on one of the long tables in the Great Hall, Hiccup watched as Ingrid placed a plate of food in front of her. On the other side of the table were Snotlout, Fishlegs, Ruff and Tuff.

"Here you go, Astrid," she said, "Braised chicken thighs sprinkled with lots of salt with white beans and sliced apples on the side just as you asked for."

"Thanks, Mom," Astrid said gratefully, "it looks good."

"Enjoy, sweetie," she said, leaving to go eat with her husband.

Hiccup looked down at his plate of food, scooped some boiled spinach into his wooden spoon and glanced sideways at his wife who was biting into a chicken thigh. So far so good, she hadn't thrown up again or gotten all tired out but he still wanted to keep an eye on her in case she did. Suddenly, she spat out a mouthful of chicken. Hiccup turned his head to her, ready to help her if she was about to throw up.

"These thighs don't have enough salt on them," she complained, "I said I wanted lots of salt not pinches of it. Hey, does anyone have any salt on them?"

Hiccup couldn't believe what he was hearing. Not a few months ago, she had been annoyed at Ruffnut for spilling a sack full of salt into the pail of yak milk they had brought with them when they went to visit the Wingmaidens and the Defenders of the Wing. Now here she was asking more even more salt for her already salted chicken thighs.

"I do," Fishlegs spoke up from across the table. He pulled out a small sack from one of the pouches attached to his fuzzy tunic and held it out to Astrid, "here you go, Astrid."

Astrid snatched the sack without saying thank you, put her hand inside the sack and poured a handful of salt all over the thighs.

"Use up all that salt and you'll be so thirsty, you'll be drinking enough water to have you peeing all through the night, Mrs. Haddock," Snotlout teased.

Hiccup glared at Snotlout.

"That's Chieftess Astrid to you, Jorgenson and I can use as much salt as I want," Astrid snapped, picking up a heavily salted thigh and biting into it.

"Okay, okay, sheesh," Snotlout said, holding up his hands in defense. He turned to Tuffnut next to him and Hiccup heard him whisper into his ear, "Man, someone's a little grumpy tonight."

Suddenly, a chicken thigh struck him right on the temple.

"Hey," he cried out.

"I am not in a grumpy mood, I am in a very pleasant mood, thank you very much," Astrid said irritably.

Now Hiccup was feeling more worried. True, Astrid got irritable over a few things but now she seemed more irritable over the littlest things than usual. Still, he tried to stay calm as he finished his dinner and Astrid finished hers. Once she had finished, she got up from her seat.

"Where are you going?" Hiccup asked.

"I'm just gonna get yak's milk and see if there are any blueberries around here."

Blueberries? This was a big surprise to Hiccup. Astrid had been known for loving vegetables more than fruit. Then again sometimes we get bored of the same old foods and want something different, he told himself.

Suddenly, he heard, "PLEAGH! YUCK!"

Astrid!

In a matter of seconds, Hiccup got up from his seat and hurried to where he heard the shout. He found Astrid standing in front of another table, a mug in her hands and hurried over to her.

"Astrid, what's wrong? Did you throw up again?"

"No, it's this stupid yak milk!" Astrid snapped, holding the mug in front of him.

"What about it?" Hiccup asked.

"It's at room temperature!" Astrid answered angrily.

"I know, we always drink yak milk at room temperature," Hiccup pointed out. Why was Astrid suddenly annoyed at the fact that the yak milk was at room temperature? She never minded drinking room temperature yak milk.

"Well, I felt like cold yak's milk!" Astrid barked. "How can we make it cold now that there are no more Snow Wraiths and Bewilderbeasts to chill it up for us?!"

"Easy, Astrid," Hiccup said calmly, holding his hands up, "I have an idea: There's still a few piles of snow on the ground. Why don't I just take this milk pitcher and put it on top of one of the snowy mounds and let it sit a while until its chilled to perfection?"

Astrid glared at him for a few more seconds then closed her eyes and sighed. "All right. While you're doing that, I'm gonna see if I can at least find some blueberries."

She looked over her shoulder and hollered, "Hey, Gobber, come over here please?"

Gobber arrived right in front of them. "What can I do for you, Chieftess?"

"Do you know where I can find some blueberries around here? I don't know why but lately I've been feeling like relishing the sweet juices of blueberries. I don't care if they're in a pie or bread or jams or even just a handful of berries, I'd really love some."

"Well, I know we did pick a couple of blueberries before winter started but I'm afraid we don't have many left. Some of us ate the last of them this month."

"WHAT?!" Astrid barked, causing Hiccup to flinch. Even Gobber was flinching too.

"How can everyone eat the last of the blueberries?! Didn't anyone stop to think that maybe some of us wanted some too even their own Chieftess?!"

"I'm sorry, lass," said Gobber uneasily, "I guess nobody thought about that."

"Of course nobody thought about that!" Astrid snapped. "What's wrong with everyone doing a little thinking for once?!" She sighed exasperatedly and Hiccup watched as she headed back to the table where they were eating with their friends. "Hey Fishlegs!"

"Yes, Astrid?" Hiccup heard Fishlegs say nervously.

"Did you eat all the blueberries from the bushes we found on the other side of this island last summer?! I know how crazy you are about them!"

"Uh…I may have eaten a few…or many."

"And you didn't stop to think that maybe some of us, even your Chieftess, wanted some?!"

"But Astrid uh, Chieftess, I thought you didn't like fruit as much," Fishlegs whimpered, shrinking further and further in his chair.

"Well, I'm starting to like it now! And thanks to you and everyone else who ate them, I've got to wait till the weather warms up enough for more berries to grow!"

The sound of surprised murmurs caused Hiccup look around. Almost everyone was staring at Astrid.

"Hiccup, is Astrid feeling all right tonight?" Hiccup heard Valka's voice from behind.

Hiccup turned to his mom, her face lined with concern and surprise.

"I don't know, Mom. I just don't know."

Location: Haddock House

Date: February 27

Time: 8:35 p.m.

(Hiccup's PoV)

Hiccup stepped inside the kitchen of his and Astrid's house with a mug and a pitcher of perfectly chilled yak milk (he left it sitting in a mound of snow for two whole hours). There he found Astrid kneeling in front of the hearth.

"Astrid?" he spoke up softly, a little nervous that she still might be irritable. "I have your nice, cold yak milk."

Astrid looked up at him, the light of the small, flickering flames reflected against her cheek. It made her look twice as lovely and Hiccup couldn't help but smile at the sight. And he was also relieved to see that she didn't look angry anymore but very peaceful.

"Thanks, Hiccup," she said softly.

Hiccup smiled as he knelt down beside his wife, poured the cold milk into the mug and handed it to her. Astrid took it from him gratefully and slowly sipped the beverage. Her smile grew as she pulled the mug away.

"I'm sorry I got a little mad at everyone at dinner. I don't know what came over me."

"That's all right. Everyone knows you didn't mean to say those things."

Astrid nodded and sighed. "Now, for some reason, I just feel so peaceful. But it's a kind of peaceful feeling I never felt before in my life. Ever."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. I feel like…I don't know…it's like there's something deep within me…something very special, something dear and precious."

"I bet I know what it is," said Hiccup, "I bet it's your love for me, your husband. I feel it all the time when I'm around you."

"No, that's not it," said Astrid, looking back at the flames, "I mean, I do love you but it's something else but I just don't know what. I wish I knew."

"Why don't you sleep on it tonight?" Hiccup suggested, standing up. "Maybe you'll figure it out in the morning."

"Sleep sounds like a good idea to me," Astrid responded, also standing up.

Location: Haddock House

Date: February 28

Time: 8:30 a.m.

(Hiccup's PoV)

As a cauldron of porridge heated over the hearth, Hiccup opened the door, took a step outside and inhaled deeply. Although the chill of winter still hung in the air, there was a hint of warmth. Yep, spring was definitely on its way. It seemed to Hiccup that spring came a lot more quickly on this island then it did at Old Berk. This made his birthday…well, his sort-of birthday actually, even more special.

He walked over to a small pile of snow by his house. Half-buried in the snow was a pitcher of yak milk. Picking up the pitcher, Hiccup looked into it to make sure the beverage was not frozen. He smiled when he saw that it wasn't. He pressed his other hand on the pitcher. His smile grew bigger when he felt the chill of the pitcher. He figured Astrid might want more cold milk. Although her exhaustion and nausea seemed to have passed, he was still a little worried and baffled over her snapping at everyone over the littlest things last night. It was as though she had briefly gone back to being the Astrid she was before he introduced her to Toothless. Still, he wasn't going to let that spoil his birthday. He walked back into the house with the pitcher in his hand just in time for Astrid to walk down the stairs into the kitchen.

"Morning, babe and happy 22nd birthday!" she said cheerfully.

"Thanks, milday," Hiccup replied, "I brought you some more chilled yak milk in case you wanted some."

"Why, thank you," Astrid said gratefully, "and I do want some."

With a smile, Hiccup placed the pitcher on the table, picked up two bowls, and walked over to the steaming cauldron over the hearth. He put the bowls on the floor, picked up a small pail of water and poured it under the cauldron and over the fire, dousing it. Then he picked up a bowl, poured some porridge into it and handed it to Astrid.

"Hey, Hiccup, do we have any sugar and salt left over?" Astrid asked as Hiccup filled his bowl with porridge.

"There's a sack of sugar and another of salt against the wall over there," answered Hiccup, pointing to the sacks sitting against the wall.

He watched as Astrid walked over to the sacks, poured a few spoonfuls of sugar and salt into her porridge and walked back to the table. Hiccup followed

"Shame there aren't any berries left," she sighed, "I'd really like to mix them in this porridge about now."

Hiccup sat on his chair across the table from Astrid and opened his mouth about her sudden strange cravings for sweet and salty things and fruit but decided against it. It might make her snappy again and the last thing he wanted was her blowing her top on his birthday so he started to eat his porridge again.

Astrid was about to take a bite out of her sugary, salty porridge in her spoon then paused. Then she looked down at her stomach.

"Everything okay?" asked Hiccup.

"Yeah, yeah, everything's fine," said Astrid quickly. She took a bite out of the spoonful of porridge then picked up her mug of chilled yak milk and brought it to her lips. In the middle of her sipping, her eyes suddenly went wide. In a split second, put the mug down, got up from her chair and sprinted out the door.

"Astrid?" Hiccup called, getting up from the seat and heading for the door.

The sound of retching answered his call.

Hiccup picked up the speed and looked out the doorway. Astrid was bending over the ground. At her feet was a puddle of bile, porridge and milk.

"Astrid!" cried Hiccup, helping her up. "You've thrown up again!"

"I know," groaned Astrid. "I thought it passed."

"So did I," said Hiccup seriously, narrowing his eyes at the remains of his wife's breakfast. He took her hand in his and dragged her toward the village. "Come on, we're going to Gothi's. No arguments!"

Location: Gothi's House

Date: February 28

Time: 8:45 a.m.

(Astrid's PoV)

A number of thoughts and questions filled Astrid's head as Hiccup dragged her up the stairway leading up to Gothi's house. Two mornings in a row, she had vomited but she didn't feel feverish or anything. But why was she suddenly getting easily exhausted in the middle of long walks? She never used to. She always had enough energy to do it. And why did she suddenly develop cravings for sweet things like fruit? She had always been more of a vegetable person than a fruit person. She had still not forgotten the time when the twins had spilled too much salt into a pail of yak milk they had brought with them on their trip to Caldera Cay and Wingmaiden Island and how annoyed she was about it. So why was she also suddenly craving lots and lots of salt instead of just a little bit? Maybe it was a good thing they were going to see Gothi.

Still holding onto her hand, Hiccup knocked on the door.

"Come in," Astrid heard her mother's voice from inside.

Hiccup opened the door and as he dragged her inside, Astrid could see Ingrid and Gothi standing by a table where some vials sat.

"Good morning, Mom, morning, Gothi," greeted Astrid.

"Good morning, Astrid," greeted Ingrid, "Good morning, Hiccup and happy birthday."

Gothi picked up her staff and started to scribble something on the floor.

"Gothi wishes you a happy birthday too," said Ingrid.

"Thanks, Ingrid, Gothi, but it won't be a happy birthday if I don't find out what's wrong with my new wife," said Hiccup, gesturing to Astrid.

"What do you mean?" asked Ingrid, suddenly looking worried.

Hiccup looked at Astrid. "You tell her," he instructed.

Astrid sighed and faced her mom and Gothi. "Mom, I probably should have told you this yesterday but…"

"Yes, Astrid?" said Ingrid, nodding.

"Yesterday, as Hiccup and I were coming home, I threw up."

"Oh," said Ingrid, surprised.

"But I didn't do it again after that but you probably may have noticed that while walking back to the village, I was looking a little tired."

"Yes, I have," replied Ingrid.

"Well, I guess I was feeling a little tired but I didn't want to admit it and the real reason I turned down your offer of salmon was because the thought of eating fish kind of made me feel sick."

"So that explains why you wanted something else," Ingrid said.

"I noticed that too," said Hiccup, nodding.

"And I threw up again just now," Astrid concluded.

"Well, why don't you sit down and Gothi and I will see what's making you feel all that?" Ingrid suggested, pulling up a chair.

"Okay," said Astrid, going over to the chair and sitting on it.

As she sat still, she watched as Gothi examined her eyes and tongue. Then the elderly woman leaned her head against her chest listening for her heartbeat then she pressed a hand to her stomach. The elder's eyes lit up in amazement. Then she headed for the table and picked up a sewing needle and a small, pointed leaf. She turned to Ingrid and held them up to her. Ingrid nodded and turned to her daughter.

"She wants to check your blood now," she said.

"Do you want to squeeze my hand as she pricks the needle on your finger?" asked Hiccup, holding out a hand.

"No, Hiccup," responded Astrid, slightly irritable, "I'm not a little kid. I can handle a little pain. It's only fun if you get a scar out of it."

"Uh, okay," said Hiccup, pulling his hand back.

Astrid watched as Gothi held up her left hand and stuck the stuck needle into her index finger. She winced a little as this happened. As tiny drops of blood trickled out of the small cut, Gothi held up the leaf below the cut and collected one of the drops. Then she went over to the table to examine it. Ingrid picked up a roll of gauze from the table and ripped off a tiny piece.

"So, Astrid," she said, wrapping the bit of gauze to her pricked finger, "you said you thrown up yesterday and today?"

"Yeah," answered Astrid.

"And you've been feeling tired lately?"

"Uh-huh."

"And the thought of fish made you feel nauseous?"

"Of course."

"Hmm," said Ingrid thoughtfully.

"What is it, Ingrid?" asked Hiccup.

"I was thinking about dinner last night and what Astrid requested to me," answered Ingrid. She turned back to her daughter. "Astrid, I have noticed that you also been a little irritable with your friends last night too."

"I guess I was a little irritable last night," admitted Astrid, feeling a little bad for blowing her top like that, "but I don't know what got into me."

"Was there any particular reason?" her mom asked.

"Well…I guess I was a little annoyed that everyone ate all the berries on this island because I suddenly found myself wanting some."

"That's odd, in all the years you've been my daughter, I've always known you to be more of a vegetable lover than a fruit lover. No one ever craves the foods they dislike unless…"

"Unless what?" asked Hiccup.

"Astrid, have you had any other cravings lately?"

"Well," Astrid answered slowly, "I have been craving lots of salt and lots of sugar too."

"And cold yak milk," added Hiccup, "but what do cravings have to do with her throwing up and getting tired lately?"

"Just a minute, Hiccup," said Ingrid, holding up a finger then turning to Gothi. "Gothi, those were the same symptoms I had when I was…you don't suppose…?"

Gothi nodded and held up the leaf with the blood drop.

"You're positive?" asked Ingrid.

The grey-haired woman nodded again, picked up her staff and walked over to Astrid. Then she started scribbling on the floor again with the staff.

"What's Gothi saying, Mom?" asked Astrid.

"Well, Astrid, this may be a bit of a shock for you but…"

"I can handle a little shock," Astrid insisted.

"Well, sweetie," she said, taking a deep breath and looking excited and nervous at the same time, "I believe, and Gothi agrees with me…"

"Yes, yes?" Hiccup asked anxiously.

"That…you are going to have…"

"Going to have what?" Astrid demanded.

"A baby."

Astrid felt as though a fist had struck her in the chest. "What?"

Ingrid walked over to her daughter and held her hands. "You're going to have a baby," she repeated, now really excited.

Astrid looked down to her stomach. "I'm…?"

"Pregnant," her mom answered. "Isn't this wonderful?"

Astrid couldn't believe it. She was pregnant? There was a baby inside her?

She opened her mouth to say something but before she could get the words out, she heard a groan followed by a loud thud right beside her. She looked on the right side of her and saw Hiccup lying on the floor, his eyes closed and his face pale.

He had fainted.

Location: Gothi's House

Date: February 28

Time: 9:01 a.m.

(Hiccup's PoV)

"Hiccup! Hiccup, wake up! Hiccup!"

The sound of his wife's familiar and beautiful voice seemed to bring him back to the land of the living. He slowly opened her eyes. His vision was a little bleary but he could make out the blondeness of her hair, the pale pink of her skin and the blue of her eyes. On one side of her was another swirl of pale pink, blonde hair and blue eyes. On the other side of her was a swirl even paler pink, grey hair and light blue eyes.

"That's it, babe, come back to us," came his darling wife's voice.

The image above him became much clearer. He was able to see that the faces of Astrid, Ingrid and Gothi were lined with concern.

"Are you all right, Hiccup?" Ingrid asked worriedly.

"I think so," answered Hiccup, still feeling a little out of it.

He slowly sat up and placed a hand on his temple. "Astrid, you're not going to believe this dream I had."

"Oh? What did you dream about?" Astrid asked, smiling in a teasing manner.

"I dreamt that you threw up this morning, I took you to your mom and Gothi…" He gestured to the two women. "Then they told me that you were going to have a baby. Can you believe it?"

Astrid didn't answer, she just kept smiling.

"Astrid?" Hiccup said, his heart pounding with both excitement and shock. He looked over at Ingrid and Gothi who were also smiling. "It wasn't a dream was it?"

"Nope, it really happened," said Ingrid proudly, "Astrid is pregnant and you're going to be a father."

"Happy birthday, babe," said Astrid.

Hiccup just stared at his wife, his mouth hanging open. His eyes trailed down to her lower torso where within the inner walls of her belly was the tiny body of what was to be a son or daughter – their son or daugher.

"Well, say something," continued Astrid.

"I, uh…I have a-a million things to say, I-I-I don't even know where to start," stammered Hiccup. "I-I mean a few-few days ago, everyone's been pressuring me and-and-and you to-to have a baby and we didn't-didn't feel like we were ready for a baby and now…and now, here you stand pregnant with a baby. I can't believe this is happening. And why…why do I feel so-so happy at the same time?"

"Most men feel that way when they find out they're going to be fathers – shocked and happy at the same time," answered Ingrid, "I know Einar and I were when we found out I was carrying Astrid."

"I wonder how my parents felt, "said Hiccup wistfully.

"It's been two decades since then but I can still remember your father whistling for hours at end as he did his chiefly duties," said Ingrid, "and whenever I came across your mother, she was giggling more than she usually did."

Hiccup heard a giggle behind him. He turned around to see Astrid with her hands over her mouth.

"Looks like I'm going to be giggling until that day comes too and I'm not a giggler," she said. "How long do I have, Mom?"

Gothi dragged the bottom of her staff around the floor again.

"Gothi says," Ingrid translated, "it takes at least nine months for babies to develop in their mother's wombs. So you have plenty of time to prepare."

Hiccup nodded then took Astrid's hands in his. "Can you believe it, Astrid? Our first baby. I love you so much."

"I love you, too," said Astrid, resting her head on his shoulder.

Suddenly she pulled back and with wide eyes, she put a hand over a mouth.

"Oh, my," Ingrid said urgently. She quickly looked around and hurried to a corner where a bucket was sitting. She handed it to her daughter. "Here you go, Astrid."

Astrid grabbed the bucket, leaned her face into it and vomited. Hiccup stood by her side, rubbing her back. He looked at Ingrid with a concerned look.

"Its okay, Hiccup," she said, "The morning sickness is part of the early weeks of pregnancy."

"What about the weird cravings?" Hiccup asked.

"It's another part of it as well and the irritation but not to worry, they'll all pass in time."

"I sure hope so," said Astrid, lifting her face out of the bucket.

Location: Great Hall

Date: February 28

Time: 7:15 p.m.

(Hiccup's PoV)

"Stop fiddling with your fingers, Hiccup," hissed Astrid, putting a hand over his fidgety hands, "everybody's gonna be happy to hear about this."

"Will they? What am I saying? Of course they'll be happy. I mean, some of them have expecting me to make them an heir after our wedding and I did."

"Relax, Hiccup," whispered Astrid, putting a hand on his shoulder, "you just have to make the announcement and that's it."

"Sorry, Astrid, I'm just a little nervous."

"Well, don't be nervous. Now get everyone's attention and tell them about our baby."

"Right, our baby." Hiccup took a deep breath and looked around at the crowded Great Hall. So far, it had been a good birthday feast and he got some good gifts.

Eret had given him a new dagger which he had fashioned himself in the forge and Fishlegs had given him all of his dragon cards.

"But Fishlegs, they're your dragon cards," Hiccup had said.

"I know but I want you to keep them," Fishlegs had insisted, "You need them more than I do."

Hiccup understood. It was still hard for his friend to be around constant reminders of the dragons as it was for him.

Bucket and Mulch had given him a round portrait of himself with Astrid in their wedding outfits and they hadn't even posed for a painting.

"Even after all these years, you're still a great painter, Bucket," Hiccup had complimented.

"I'm a painter?" Bucket had said. "I didn't know I had such talent."

"Neither did I," Hiccup had said, smiling and shaking his head.

The twins had given him a small sack of salt.

"What's the salt for?" Hiccup had asked.

"For future Loki pranks," Tuffnut had answered.

"The time we spilled all that salt into the yak's milk had inspired us to keep doing it and we thought maybe you'd like to do it too," Ruffnut had added.

"If you want to that is," Tuffnut had said.

"Why am I not surprised?" Hiccup had asked himself.

Gobber's gift was a bittersweet one: it had been a new belt with a dragon symbol engraved on the buckle. It was the same dragon symbol that was engraved on Stoick's belt buckle.

"I know the symbol will be a constant reminder of your dad but this is the symbol that all the other chieftains before you and him had on their belt buckles," he had explained.

They were all fine gifts but none of them held a candle for what Astrid was currently making for him. Taking another deep breath, he picked up his mug and spoon and tapped the spoon against the mug.

"Excuse me," he announced, "can I have your attention please?"

All eyes turned to him.

Hiccup cleared his throat. "So far, this has been a great birthday for me and I want to thank you all for your wonderful gifts. But I want to tell you all about the gift that my beloved wife here is currently making and it won't be ready for at least another few months."

Tuffnut raised his hand.

"Yes, Tuffnut?"

"How can it take a few months to make a simple gift?" he asked.

"Yeah, ours just took five minutes," added Ruffnut.

"Well, there are some gifts that take a while to produce and this one will be one of them," Hiccup replied.

"What are you saying, Chief?" asked Gobber.

"I'm saying…" Hiccup started, turning to Astrid who nodded. "I'm saying that…in just a few months, Astrid and I are going to be parents."

Murmurs of surprise of surprise and excitement filled the Hall.

"ASTRID'S PREGNANT?" Fishlegs shouted.

"Yes, Fishlegs, I'm pregnant," Astrid said laughing.

Suddenly Hiccup found himself smothered in the crushing arms of his friend along with Astrid.

"OH, CONGRATULATIONS! I'M SO HAPPY FOR THE BOTH OF YOU!" he squealed.

"Yes, congratulations, you two," came Valka's voice from behind Fishlegs. "Fishlegs would you mind giving our leaders some air?"

"Oh, oh, yes, uh, sorry Valka," said Fishlegs releasing his grip on his two friends/leaders.

Hiccup placed a hand on his chest and gasped. Then he looked up at his mom's face, her aqua green eyes glistening with happiness. Then she turned to the crowd.

"TO THE CHIEF!" she announced.

"TO THE CHIEF!" echoed the crowd.

"TO THE CHIEFTESS!" boomed Gobber, holding up his mug which was attached to his left arm.

"TO THE CHIEFTESS!" roared the crowd.

"TO THE BABE!" roared Spitelout.

"TO THE BABE!" repeated the crowd.

Hiccup smiled at the cheering crowd then turned to Astrid and smiled at her.

She smiled back.

Location: Haddock House

Date: February 28

Time: 9:30 p.m.

(Hiccup's PoV)

"Did you have a good birthday, Hiccup?" Astrid asked as he crawled into their bed next to her.

"Oh, one of my very best ever," answered Hiccup.

"Did you like all your gifts?"

Hiccup looked around as though making sure no one was listening, even though he and Astrid were the only two people in the house. "Do you wanna know a secret?"

"Sure," answered Astrid, nodding.

"Our friends' gifts were good but yours is the best," said Hiccup. He pressed a hand over her belly desperately trying to feel for the tiny baby that would spend the next couple of months growing inside her. "This baby is the greatest gift of all."

Well, it's official. Hiccup and Astrid are going to be parents! By the way, in case some of you didn't read Cressida Cowel's book series, Hiccup's birthday is on February 29th.