"Are you ready?" Hiccup reclined on the bed beside Astrid, one arm slung around her shoulders. For the first time that day to room was quiet and still. His mother and mother-in-law had taken their leave allowing the couple some time alone with their brand-new baby girl.
The young couple had sat for over an hour, staring at their little girl in awe and wonder, amazed that they could make something so tiny, so pink, so perfect.
Astrid's fringe still clung to her forehead, sweaty from the exertion of the last twelve hours. Hiccup brushed the sticky strands of his wife's face. "As?"
"Hmm?" Completely distracted by the small bundle in her arms, Astrid stroked a finger down the baby's cheek. She smiled at the suckling motion as her finger neared the newborn's mouth. "Yeah, babe, let them in."
Slowly, Hiccup stood from the bed, reluctantly tearing his gaze from his wife and daughter. He wanted to stay and drink in the sight of them forever but he would only be gone a moment.
He walked to the door and opened it, sticking his head outside.
Fishlegs noticed him first, halting the route he'd been pacing around the room. The twins were sitting side by side with their backs to the door. They turned as one when they noticed Fishlegs had stopped.
Snotlout was the first to the door.
"Me first, I'm family." He pushed past into the little room.
With an exaggerated eye-roll, Hiccup stood aside to let the others in.
"Wait, why's he got so much hair." Snotlout was already by the bed, brows knit together in utter confusion. "I thought babies were bald."
"Nope, that was just you Snotlout." Ruffnut came to stand beside him, her eyes all shiny, hands making grabby motion towards the baby. "I want one." Snotlout took a hasty step away.
"Eh, I don't see the appeal," Tuffnut leant in close to scrutinise the tiny baby's features. "Small, squishy human. Can't ride a boar yet. What's the point?" The small, squishy human scrunched her face up in a yawn, her little arms stretched out as the movement rocked her whole body.
"Ah, yep. Now I see it." Tuffnut took a step back beside his sister, his own eyes going misty.
"This is Nora," Astrid stroked through the soft downy fuzz of her daughter's head, her eyes still glued to the tiny body.
"Ha, Nora? But that's a girl's name." Snotlout's confusion rocketed up a level.
"Crazy that." Hiccup sat back down on the bed beside his wife. Carefully, Astrid passed her daughter over. Hiccup marvelled at the way he could hold her tiny body with her head in his palm and her feet just brushing the crook of his arm.
"A girl huh?" Ruffnut stared down at the child in Hiccup's arms. "Thank the Gods she looks more like Astrid then."
Hiccup glanced sharply up at her. "What's that supposed to mean?" He asked.
"Nothing…" Ruffnut looked Hiccup up and down. "It just that nose. Those eyebrows…" She tipped her head sideways as she judged his appearance.
"She got his hair though," Tuffnut piped up. "So much hair."
"She's beautiful guys," Fishlegs came in with the save.
Nora began to mewl and squawk, her face going red and splotchy.
"Give her to me," Astrid held out her arms and Hiccup reluctantly passed the little girl back. Screams filled the air as the Dragon Riders shifted awkwardly.
"Maybe we should give them some space," Fishlegs suggested. One by one they shuffled out of the room.
Hiccup reclined back on the bed, elbow propped against the headboard, watching Astrid intently as she fussed over Nora. She shifted her tunic around and held the babe to her breast. The cries died down as the newborn latched on, replaced with the sounds of vigorous suckling.
"We did good babe," Astrid's voice was husky as she spoke. She glanced up at her husband, a tired smile flitting across her lips.
"You did all the work Milady," Hiccup leant forward to kiss the top of her head. "But yeah, she's perfect."