Chapter 11:

Sorry I couldn't update earlier, I had a bit of writer's block. I HATE that! But I've finally got the ideas for this chapter, and you might be surprised.


In the next few months, the snow melted until it was almost completely gone, spare for a few small patches here and there. Torch and his mate, whose name was Violet, had grown much more fond of each other, and they had both grown fond of Heather. But the biggest change was that was happening at the Haddock house.

At first glance on the inside, you wouldn't think that it belonged to dragon trainers. Hiccup had spent nearly half of his time trying to baby-proof the place, despite Astrid telling him constantly that the baby would be fine.

All of the weapons they owned had been boxed, and placed in one of the corners, except for Astrid's axe, which she and Hiccup agreed would be the only weapon that wouldn't be boxed. The fireplace was never used unless it was nighttime, and the crib had been placed against the wall next to the bed.

It seemed to take forever until Hiccup was finally satisfied.

Astrid had stayed outside while Hiccup did the "baby-proofing," and it took her a minute to realize that it was incredibly quiet inside the house. She had been leaning against the wall, outside, and she made her way to the door. It was a little more difficult than before, due to the fact that she was now heavily pregnant. She sighed before she opened the door to see Hiccup sitting on their bed. He looked worried.

Astrid made her way over to her husband and sat down on the bed next to him. "Is there something bothering you?" she asked.

Hiccup sighed. "Oh, you know, the usual nerves a father gets before he meets his baby for the first time," he said, trying to sound casual despite his anxiety. "I feel that if I mess up, and I mean really mess up, it's going to cost us our baby."

"But you don't know that for sure," Astrid said, "I think you'll be a great dad. If fact, I think you already are when it comes to Mortem. He really loves you."

"Yeah, I know he does," Hiccup said, "At least I haven't made the same mistakes that my dad made."

"Is that what you're worried about?" Astrid asked. Hiccup just shrugged. Now it was Astrid's turn to sigh. "You'll be a great dad," she said, "I know you will."

Hiccup looked up at her and smiled. "Thanks, Astrid." Astrid smiled back and took his hand in her own, their fingers intertwined. They tried to hug, but unfortunately, Astrid's stomach kept getting in the way. Hiccup then wrapped his arm around Astrid, and she responded by wrapping her arm around him as well.

Feeling satisfied, they pulled put of the embrace and stood up (Hiccup had to help Astrid get up due to the extra weight). They started to make their way to the door, when a sharp pain shot up Astrid's stomach. She winced and clutched her belly. Noticing that she had stopped, Hiccup turned to look back at her. "Are you okay?" He had a hint of worry in his voice.

Not wanting to look weak in front of her husband, Astrid nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine, I just..." Another pain, stronger than the first, shot up her belly, and she groaned.

Hiccup rushed over to her. "Astrid, what's wrong?"

"I don't know!" Astrid shouted, "I think...I think it's..." She screamed and clutched her stomach tighter. Hiccup's eyes widened as he realized what was happening.

"The baby."

Astrid nodded as another pain shot up her stomach. Hiccup hugged her close. "Astrid, it's okay. You're gonna be okay. I'll take you to the healer's."

"No!" Astrid said, suddenly, "There's no time!"

"Well, what do you want me to do?!" Hiccup shouted. He had never been more terrified in his whole life.

It was at that moment the door opened, and Heather stepped in. "Hey, I think Torch and Violet are gonna...what's going on?"

Hiccup turned to look at her. "Heather, have you delivered a baby before?" he asked.

"Yeah, once," Heather said, "Why?"

Hiccup looked at Astrid, who nodded. He then turned back to Heather. "You're delivering ours."

Heather was temporarily surprised, but she nodded. Hiccup then began to help Astrid to their bed. It was a painful process, due to the constant contractions, but Astrid was able to get to the bed and lie down. Heather rushed over and helped Hiccup pull a medium-sized blanket over Astrid. The two women knew that Hiccup was rather sensitive about anything having to do with anything "down below," especially during childbirth, or what had happened on his and Astrid's wedding night.

"Hiccup, I need you to get some wet cloths!" Heather said as she removed Astrid's lower clothing, which were wet. Hiccup nodded, and rushed off, heading for the door.

As much as what Astrid had been through, nothing could have prepared her for this. It hurt. A lot. She wanted the baby, but she also wanted the pain to go away, as quickly as it could.

"You're doing fine, Astrid," Heather said in a comforting voice, "It'll be over before you know it." Astrid couldn't help but laugh a little. "You sound like Hiccup," she said. As if on cue, Hiccup arrived with some wet cloths, and handed them to Heather, who placed them under Astrid.

Hiccup then knelt down next to Astrid, taking her hand in his. "You're going to be fine," he said, "Everything's gonna be just fine. It'll be okay." Astrid breathed a laugh. "Are you talking to me, or yourself?" she asked. Hiccup looked at her, his expression full of worry. "Both," he said.

Astrid's smile faded as another pain warped her belly. Hiccup held her hand tightly. "Hiccup, it...it hurts," Astrid said, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I know," Hiccup said, "But listen, you're gonna be okay." Astrid muffled a scream as the pain grew. "I'm scared!" She didn't care if Heather could hear her. Heck, she didn't care if the whole village could hear her. She wanted to get it over with.

Heather looked up at the couple. "Hiccup, you might want to step outside, this could get messy." Paling at the realization of what Heather was implying, Hiccup quickly took his leave, shutting the door behind him to give Astrid some privacy.

Hiccup spent the next several hours pacing back and forth nervously. Toothless watched his rider curiously. If he kept it up long enough, he was sure Hiccup would wear out a hole in the ground. Hiccup finally slowed to a stop when he realized that Astrid had stopped screaming.

A minute later, a piercing wail broke the silence.

Hiccup froze for a few seconds at the sound, and then rushed into the house to find Heather wrapping something up in a dry cloth.

Their baby.

Hiccup started to make his way over to Heather, who looked up at him.

"It's a boy."

Hiccup looked down at the little bundle. This was his son. His human son. Mortem was a big brother now. He turned back to Astrid, who had just sat up. "May I see him?" she asked. Heather nodded and handed the baby to Astrid. The boy's parents got a good look at him. His hair was blonde, and his face was dotted with a few light freckles. But the most noticeable feature was his eyes.

One was green, and the other was blue.

Hiccup smiled and put his arm around Astrid. "So, what do you think?" he asked.

Astrid smiled, and gently stroked her newborn son's face. "He's perfect."

All was well, but then a sudden pain shot up Astrid's stomach. She clutched it tightly, groaning. "Astrid, what's wrong?" Hiccup asked. Astrid looked up at him. Another strong contraction warped Astrid's stomach, and she suddenly realized what was happening. "There's another one," she said, "There's another baby!"

Hiccup and Heather exchanged matching glances of shock, before the young woman returned to her previous position. Hiccup went right back outside, not waiting for a request from Heather or Astrid.

Hiccup was speechless. They had been blessed with not one, but two babies. The process went along much faster this time, and Hiccup came right back in when he heard a small cry. Heather had just started to bundle the newborn baby into a spare cloth.

"It's a girl."

Hiccup couldn't believe it. It's a girl. I have a daughter. He held out his arms, and Heather handed him his daughter. She was small, but healthy, and she had brown hair like her father.

Hiccup began to stroke her face gently. "It's okay," he said softly, "It's okay, your daddy's here." Hearing his voice, the little girl stopped crying. She opened her eyes and looked up at her father. Her eyes were blue, like her mother's. Hiccup smiled at his daughter, and then walked over to Astrid, and knelt down next to her.

Heather smiled as she watched them. "I'll go let the others know," she said, heading for the door. But Astrid and Hiccup barely heard her. They were too focused on each other, and their newborn children.

Then, without warning, Astrid pulled Hiccup close, and pressed her forehead against his. Words couldn't even describe how they were feeling. They both leaned in and met each other halfway with a passionate kiss.


Fraternal twins! Didn't expect that, didja? I don't think there's ever been a fanfic in which Heather has helped deliver twins before. Why not have this be the first! Please review, follow, or favorite! It'll make me very happy!