Welcome to the next chapter in the flashbacks I was working on before I went on hiatus. This chapter details how Astrid found out she was pregnant with Siri. Now, I haven't written in a long while, and if this chapter isn't as good as usual, it's because I'm rusty, so please be mindful of that :)
By the way, I've noticed a small error in my flashback chapters given that I have said that Siri is 8 by now. This isn't technically true as she is 2 weeks off turning 8, but since she is so close, I don't think it matters. Just saying this because I'm sure some of you will notice the mistake in this chapter.
Anyway, on with the chapter! I'm so glad to be back!
Chapter 26 – Birthday Surprises
"I never wanted to drink again," Astrid said truthfully. She sighed. "And by the time I was ready, I couldn't anyway." She suddenly beamed as she remembered the reason why.
"Why couldn't you, mummy?" Siri asked.
Astrid looked at Hiccup with a tender smile, which he returned before she looked down at her daughter. "I was pregnant with you," she said with a warm smile.
Siri raised her eyebrows in surprise. She wasn't born for a long timeafter the wedding from what she knew. Did it really take that long for her mother to want to have a drink again? Or was she confused on the dates? She frowned in confusion.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" she heard her father ask, a hint of uncertainty in his tone.
Siri looked up at her father and gave him a reassured smile. "I'm okay, daddy, I was just thinking...".
"About what?" Hiccup asked her.
Siri looked up at her parents, confusion still evident in her features. "I thought I was born ages after you got married?" she asked slowly.
Astrid looked at Hiccup in bewilderment. What did that have to do with anything?
"You weren't," Astrid agreed. "But what does that have to do with anything, Seer?"
The 8 year old looked up at her parents with a serious look on her face. "Were you really that sick from Uncle Gobber that it took you that long to want to drink again?" she asked flabbergasted, her eyes wide.
Hiccup and Astrid roared with laughter as their little girl asked this question. So that's what she was talking about! She couldn't believe how long it had taken her parents to want to drink again.
"Yeah, it did take that long, sweetie," Astrid affirmed with a laugh. "You were born 2 years after the wedding..."
"2 weeks after our second wedding anniversary to be precise," Hiccup interjected with a smile. "You always were one for good timing."
Siri giggled. "How so?" she asked.
"Try even the day we found out about you was good timing," Astrid said proudly as she looked at her husband, who smiled so wide it lit up his whole face. "It was daddy's birthday."
Siri looked up at her father, her mouth agape, before she suddenly broke into a wide smile herself. "Really!" she squealed. "You found out about me on daddy's birthday?!" Snuggling into her father's side, she looked up at him and Astrid with a grin. "How did you find out?" she asked them.
The parents chuckled. "It was daddy's 22nd birthday," Astrid said with a smile. "We were meant to have a day off to plan the party and then have this huge celebration that night-"
"-Hence your mother wanting to try some mead again," Hiccup interrupted with a playful grin before he suddenly winced as his wife's fist came into contact with his shoulder. "Ow."
Siri giggled as she watched her father rubbing his arm, before she looked back to her mother. "Was daddy with you when you found out?" she asked hopefully.
Astrid smiled. "No, he wasn't," she said. Siri's smile faded. "But he found out at his birthday celebrations that night, sweetie." Astrid turned her head towards her husband with a cheeky grin on her lips. "Actually, I scared him before he found out," she laughed.
"That's putting it mildly," Hiccup mumbled. "Your mother decided to trick me into thinking she was sick when she arrived" he explained as Siri looked at him, puzzled. "Scared me half to death."
Astrid chuckled. "You fell for it with Siri and again with Leif," she said, as she teasingly stuck her tongue out at him. "It's not my fault you're so gullible."
"Hey, in my defence, your symptoms were different both times, so how was I supposed to know?!"
Siri frowned. "What does daddy mean?" she asked her mother.
"He means I didn't have morning sickness with you, so when I was pregnant with Leif, the signs weren't easy to pick up," Astrid explained with a smile. "With you, it looked like I was overworked."
"Huh?"
"She means she was tired," Hiccup said gently. "Most days she wouldn't get out of bed for ages, and she ate so much, she could beat Snotlout in an eating contest." Astrid shuddered as she remembered that. "Actually, that was what made your Grandma suspicious that day. If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have found out at that time," Hiccup said cheerfully. "Although she scared me being so mysterious too," Hiccup muttered to himself.
Not hearing that last part, Siri smiled. "Can you tell me what happened, daddy?" she asked eagerly as she snuggled up to her parents once more.
"Oh, I'm sure one more story won't hurt," Hiccup said with a grin, as he cuddled his daughter to his chest tightly. "You want to know what happened just at the party, or the whole day?" he asked, already knowing the girls answer.
"The whole day," Siri answered predictably with a grin.
"Knew it," Astrid laughed. "Alright, well..."
"Eh-ee-eh-e-eheeeeee!"
Hiccup awoke with a loud groan. Those damn Terrible Terrors never knew when to shut up, especially early in the morning. Stuffing a pillow over his head, the young Chief buried his head into the pillows in an effort to block out the sound. Next to him, his wife barely even stirred at the offensive noises coming from outside the house, even when it seemed it was right in the middle of their room.
"Eh-ee-eh-e-eheeeeee!"
"Alright, alright, you win! I'm awake!" Hiccup groaned in annoyance as he reappeared from under his pillows. "Snotlout was right-" he mumbled, "-they do need to learn how to shut up." Turning over with a loud sigh, Hiccup was surprised to see that, despite the loud racket coming from the roof top, that Astrid was still deep in slumber. In fact, it looked as if she hadn't even heard the little dragon. Strange, Hiccup thought. Astrid was usually such a light sleeper, especially in the mornings. Moving closer to the young woman, he gently tucked a strand of her blonde locks behind her ear before giving her a light peck on the cheek.
"Hmm?" Astrid mumbled as she felt the feather like touch of Hiccup's lips on her cheek, but not making a move to open her eyes. "What do you want, babe?"
Hiccup frowned. Usually when he woke Astrid up, she was more than willing to open her eyes and get ready for the day, but this was the second morning in a row that she had been so hesitant in waking up.
"Are you alright, Astrid?" Hiccup asked her worriedly, as she slowly opened her eyes. "This is the second day in a row that you haven't wanted to get up." He noted the dark circles under her eyes. "To be honest, you look exhausted" he said anxiously as he gently rubbed his finger along the circles under her eyes. "Are you sure you're feeling alright?"
Astrid yawned before giving her husband a small smile. "I'm fine, Hiccup, just a little tired." She yawned again. "I don't know how though," she admitted with a chuckle. "I've been going to bed earlier than you lately."
"And been doing as much work as me around the village, too," Hiccup said worriedly. "Astrid, I think you need to take a break-"
"I will if you will," she interrupted, sitting up. "Seriously, Hiccup, I do as much work as you do."
"I don't have black circles under my eyes that look as if they are ready to move in with us," Hiccup replied.
Astrid snorted. "Thanks a lot, babe, I feel the love."
"I'm serious, Astrid," Hiccup said sincerely. "I think you need to take a break for a few days. You sometimes do more work than me and that's not fair on you." Cupping a cheek with one hand, Hiccup looked into Astrid's eyes with a serious expression. "Astrid, its okay to admit you're exhausted. You help me every day, now let me help you. Please?" Kissing her forehead lovingly, he grinned as he saw her heave a huge sigh.
"Fine," she huffed. "But only because it's your birthday." Suddenly breaking into a wide smile, Astrid wrapped her arms around Hiccup's neck. "Happy birthday, babe."
"Why, thankyou milady," Hiccup grinned, before Astrid pulled his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. Closing his eyes, Hiccup wrapped his arms around Astrid's waist, before pulling her closer to him, deepening the kiss in contentment. Until-
"Chief, are you awake yet? We have a problem!"
Hiccup and Astrid broke off the kiss with a loud groan. "Are you kidding me?" Hiccup said in annoyance. "I'm supposed to have the day off!"
"Chief!"
"Hang on a minute!" Hiccup yelled. Growling in annoyance, he got up out of bed and grabbed for his flight suit on the chair beside the bed. "Even on my birthday, duty calls," he mumbled as he scrambled to get into his flight suit, before turning to Astrid with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry Astrid, I guess I can't spend the day with you after all. I'll try to be back by lunch though," he said before be bent down to give her a swift kiss on her temple.
Astrid smiled. "Its fine, Hiccup, they won't keep you all day. Vikings never miss an opportunity to throw a party," she grinned.
"Tell me about it," Hiccup muttered, before he suddenly broke into a wide grin. "So, does that mean you're finally going to have a go at having a drink again tonight too?"
Astrid grinned back. "I was thinking about it. Surely a year and a half has been long enough?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Hiccup chuckled as he picked up Inferno, ready to leave. "But you won't be partying very long if you don't rest," he said seriously, as he watched Astrid yawn widely against her will. "I've never seen you so tired-" Hiccup confessed anxiously, "-maybe you should go to a healer-"
"Hiccup," Astrid interrupted with a roll of her eyes. "I'm just tired, not sick." Reaching for her husband's hand, she gave him a reassured smile. "It's probably just as you said. I've been working too much. Have you seen how much food I've eaten lately?" she asked incredulously. She looked down at her stomach with a groan. "I'm pretty sure I've put on weight from it all too."
Hiccup rolled his eyes with a shake of his head. "If you have, it's only noticeable to you," he said with a chuckle, resulting in another eye roll from the young woman.
"You would say that," she said with a grin.
Hiccup chuckled. "I'm nothing, if not serious milady. You don't look any different to me." His eyes fell on the dark circles underneath his wife's eyes. "Well-" he said with a sigh, "-besides the dark circles threatening to move in of course. Are you sure you don't want to go to a healer?" he asked hopefully.
"I'm sure," Astrid said in annoyance. "Stop worrying. Now go before they barge through the door."
"They can wait," Hiccup said with a cheeky grin. "Besides, can't I get a goodbye kiss from my beautiful wife?"
"Suck up," Astrid replied with a grin. "Besides, do you really need one?" she said teasingly. "You'll only be gone a few hours."
"That's harsh, milady," Hiccup responded with a fake pout. "And on my birthday, too." Looking at Astrid with a pleading expression, Astrid snorted and gave a short laugh. It was amazing how immature her husband could be at times.
"Fine, come here you big baby," she said with a giggle. Grinning in victory, Hiccup leant down to give her a kiss on the lips, when he suddenly gave out a squeak of surprise as Astrid pulled him down to her lips with a forceful tug on his vest, resulting in him landing in a heap beside her. Giggling against his lips, Astrid dug her hand into his messy auburn locks, before deepening the kiss contentedly, to which Hiccup eagerly responded too.
"Chief, are you coming down or not!"
The young couple both groaned in unison at the interruption. For a moment, they'd forgotten about the guest waiting outside as they had become completely engrossed in each other.
Hiccup heaved a dramatic sigh. "Hang on a minute!" he yelled out in annoyance as he turned back to his wife with a small smile. "I'll be back soon" he promised. "In the meantime, rest. Do you promise?"
"Could you stop worrying?"
"Astrid..."
She sighed, but gave Hiccup a warm smile. "Alright, I promise. But only because I love you," she beamed.
Hiccup smiled adoringly at her. "I love you too, milady". Placing a hand on her cheek, he captured her lips once more in a tender kiss that made Astrid smile against his lips. They had only been married for 17 months, but the young woman was sure that it couldn't get any better than this.
"CHIEF!"
"ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT!" Hiccup yelled as he stood up from the bed. "Seriously, I can't think of a worse interruption than our village, can you?" he asked Astrid as he started for the door. "What else could interrupt us so much?" Shaking his head, Hiccup gestured to Toothless who was waiting patiently by the door, before heading down the stairs.
Astrid yawned and contemplated whether or not to get up when she heard Hiccup from downstairs.
"You guys have the worst timing, you know that?" Astrid could hear him saying, before the door shut. Emitting a soft giggle, Astrid yawned once more before closing her eyes. Maybe I'll stay in bed just a little longer, she thought, before lying back onto her pillows once more.
Astrid groaned as sunlight hit her eyes. Slowly opening her eyes, she squinted against the brightness in the room, while her eyes adjusted to the new conditions within the space. Emitting a great yawn, the young woman cast her eyes down to the empty spot in the bed beside her. She frowned for a moment wondering where Hiccup had gone off too. Her eyes widened.
"Shit!" she yelled as she scrambled to get out of bed. Looking out the window above her and Hiccup's bed, she saw the sun was fairly high in the sky indicating it must have been almost late morning. Almost lunchtime to be exact.
Realising she must have fallen back to sleep after Hiccup left, Astrid quickly raced around the room, collecting her clothes and hurriedly putting them on. Her eyelids felt heavy as she rushed about the small as if she still needed to sleep some more, but she ignored it. Hiccup would be home soon for lunch with Valka, and if he knew she had slept late, he would be worried about her for sure. He wouldn't leave her alone until she had seen a healer if he found out.
As Astrid placed her shirt over her stomach, she thought it felt a little tight. Looking down, she thought she saw a small bump protruding from her shirt. She was right. She had put on weight. Not having time to worry about it though, Astrid threw her fur hood on around her shoulders before racing down the stairs, running a comb through her hair quickly as she did so, but as she was doing this, she started as the door opened to reveal Valka.
Upon entering the house, Valka looked at Astrid with a look of confusion in her eyes as she watched the young woman race about, as if she had just gotten up. Eyes lingering over her hair and the hand grasped firmly around her comb, Valka's eyes widened in the realisation that Astrid had just gotten up.
"Astrid, did you... just get out of bed?" Valka asked slowly. "But Hiccup told me you were awake when I saw him earlier. How come you're only up now?" Taking note of the less discernible bags under the young woman's eyes, Valka raised her eyebrows in concern. "Lass, are you feeling alright? You look awfully tired."
"I'm fine," Astrid said quickly, as she shoved the comb out of sight. "I just fell back asleep is all. Nothing to worry about."
Valka frowned. "Astrid, that was 4 hours ago. That wasn't just some extra sleep. What's going on?"
"Nothing," Astrid stressed. Noticing Valka's sceptical look on her face though, she sighed. "Alright, I've been really tired lately that's all. Going to bed early, sleeping late, yet still feeling tired and all. Hiccup thinks I'm overworked."
"That may be true if Hiccup hadn't been doing the same amount of work as you, but he's fine," said Valka anxiously. Walking over to the Viking warrior, she looked at Astrid carefully. "Dear, have you considered going to a healer? You shouldn't be this tired no matter how much work you do."
"Hiccup's tried to get me there," Astrid admitted with a sheepish look at her mother in law. "But I feel fine."
"That may be so, darling, but I think you should get checked over. This isn't normal for you," Valka said nervously as she watched her daughter in law yawn again.
"Valka, please, I don't want to worry Hiccup, especially not on his birthday," Astrid fretted, twisting her hands nervously. "Please don't tell him. He's worried enough as it is."
"Alright," Valka promised, although the look of anxiety had yet to leave her eyes. "But only if you let me take you to a healer if it keeps going. You promise?"
After a long pause, Astrid sighed. "I promise."
"Astrid, I'm serious," Valka said gently as she wrapped an arm around the young woman's shoulders. "Although I don't think it's anything bad, I still think it needs a second opinion. It's not normal to be this tired."
Noticing her mother in laws anxious face, Astrid placed her head in her hands with a moan. "Alright-", she said as she lifted her head from her hands, "I'll go and see Lagetha tomorrow. I just...didn't want to worry Hiccup" she confessed.
"I think that ship has sailed, dear," Valka explained calmly. "He's already worried, isn't he?"
As Astrid nodded in agreement, she and Valka started as they heard the front door open to reveal Hiccup and Toothless amble in from the light dusting of late season snow outside. Upon noticing his wife, up and out of bed, Hiccup beamed widely before rushing over and giving her a swift kiss on the cheek, before turning to his mother and enveloping her in a hug.
"Hey mum," he smiled, before turning his attentions to his wife. "Good to see you don't look as tired as you did earlier, did you rest up?" Hiccup asked her gently as he took her in his arms tightly.
"All morning, I promise," Astrid said carefully, not noticing the look of frustration on Valka's face as she said it. "Didn't want to be tired for your big party tonight, did I?" she grinned. "Now come on, we better have some lunch so we can go and help set up. Besides, I'm starving."
"When aren't you, these days?" Hiccup grinned as he went over to the kitchen to start serving lunch, with Astrid following. Upon hearing that remark from the young couple, Valka suddenly raised her eyebrows. Something told the Viking woman that tiredness wasn't the only thing unusual about Astrid lately as she watched the young woman start digging into her lunch even before she had sat down at the table.
"Well, Astrid, I never knew you had such an appetite," Valka remarked with interest. "When did you start eating as much as Snotlout?"
"Since she started being so tired," Hiccup replied with a laugh as he watched Astrid eat through half her plate before he had barely touched his. "I think all the work she does has given her a bigger appetite the twins and Snotlout put together."
"I would say so," Valka said quietly as she started to eat her lunch as well, while looking up to observe her daughter in law every now and then. Before her and Hiccup had even finished their plates, the young woman was up and getting another, without so much as a second thought. If the dragon woman wasn't suspicious before, she certainly was now.
"Gods Astrid, I think you could challenge Snotlout with that appetite," Hiccup told her incredulously, as he watched her finish off her second plate of food. "He could use some competition that's for sure. Aren't you full yet?" he asked weakly as she stood up.
"I am now," she replied. "Hopefully this appetite will go away if I don't have as much to do. Before I eat us out of house and home" she added, as she began to clean up the dishes.
"I'll do that, dear," Valka said quickly as she stood up. Astrid was surprised, but nodded as her mother in law took over before sitting back in the chair beside Hiccup. As she did though, she felt an uncontrollable urge to yawn come over her making her eyes widen in alarm. There's no way she could be tired again! As she tried to resist the urge to yawn though, Valka proved a welcome distraction as she accidently dropped a plate on the floor and Hiccup quickly ran over to help. As he did, Astrid yawned widely before leaning her head onto her hand, eyes drooping-
"Astrid!"
Astrid started, almost falling off the chair as she heard Hiccup's concerned yell pierce the air. Eyes snapping open, she quickly looked at Hiccup who's eyes were wide with worry, quickly joined by Valka's as she came rushing over. Seeing how tired the young woman looked once more, she shook her head in disbelief.
"That's it, lass, you're going to a healer," Valka said firmly. As Astrid opened her mouth to protest, she quickly raised her hand to her, cutting her off. "You cannot be falling asleep again."
Hiccup frowned as he looked from his mother to his wife. "What does she mean, again?" Hiccup asked her worriedly.
Astrid sighed. "She means that I had only just woken up when she arrived earlier," she said sheepishly.
"But...I thought-"
"That I got up after you left?" Astrid guessed. "I was about to, but then...I fell asleep again," she said, her voice getting quieter as she spoke. "For 4 hours to be exact."
At these words, Hiccup paled. He had never known Astrid to sleep this much in all the years he had known her. Heck, he'd never known anyone to sleep as much as Astrid had lately.
"Astrid," Hiccup said weakly as he thought about it more. "You need to see Lagetha, this isn't normal."
"No, it's not," Valka agreed sternly, as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "I'm sorry, Astrid, but Hiccup's birthday or not, we're going to see her." Seeing Hiccup and Astrid's panicked looks, she finally a small smile. "Now I have a feeling I know what it is," she said, "but we have to find out for sure." Turning to Hiccup, she gave him a reassured glance. "I'll have her at the party by dark I promise, you just go and help the others," she said before she and Astrid began to walk out the door.
"But...what's wrong?" Hiccup asked fearfully as they went to leave, Astrid looking more confused than anything as she followed Valka.
"You'll soon see, dear, I promise," Valka said with a sly grin. "Just don't worry; I don't think it's serious. It just needs to be confirmed."
"What needs to be confirmed?" Hiccup asked her desperately.
"You'll see!" was all he got before the door closed on him, leaving him standing in the room in a state of confusion.
"Great, just great." Hiccup looked at Toothless who was staring back in equal confusion. "Why am I always kept in the dark with those two?" he asked the dragon. Toothless shrugged, before placing his head between his wings for a nap, drowning out the sound of his riders' worrying.
"Jeeze, thanks for the help bud."
All in all, it was shaping up to be one of the strangest birthdays of his life, Hiccup thought, as he walked around the Great Hall that evening, scanning his eyes everywhere in the hopes of seeing his wife and mother emerge. It was just going on dusk and he had seen neither hide nor hair of either of them since Valka had dragged Astrid out at lunchtime, leading Hiccup to panic at what was going on in that healers hut as he stood around in the hustle and bustle of birthday celebrations on his own.
"Happy birthday, lad!" Gobber said cheerfully as he wondered over to the young man standing all alone by his Chieftain chair in the middle of the hall. Upon hearing his mentor's voice, Hiccup turned to him with a small smile which didn't reach his eyes, a fact that didn't escape the blacksmiths notice.
"What's the matter, lad?" he asked in concern. "You don't look very excited for someone who's celebrating his birthday. Come to think of it-" he started, looking around the hall, "where's Astrid? And Val? Surely they would have been here with you already?"
"I don't know, you tell me," Hiccup muttered worriedly. Looking at his friend, Gobber was taken aback at the look of fear in the young man's eyes. "Astrid has been so tired lately. So tired that after I left this morning, she fell back asleep until midday," Hiccup explained anxiously. "Mum said she had only just gotten up when she arrived for lunch."
"Well, the lass has been doing a lot of work lately," Gobber said thoughtfully. "Maybe she just needs a break."
"That's what I thought," Hiccup said with a sigh. "But she even started going to sleep after lunch, which by the way is another thing." Seeing the look of confusion on his friends face, Hiccup explained more. "She's been eating more than Snotlout and the twins put together lately as well. It's got mum worried enough that she took her to the healer hours ago, and I still haven't seen them." Hiccup gave a panicked look towards Gobber as he said all of this. "What if she's really sick?" he asked fearfully.
As Hiccup had been saying all of this, Gobber's eyes suddenly widened in realisation. Not only had he heard of these symptoms before, but he'd seen it firsthand. Not wanting to spoil the surprise though, Gobber suddenly grinned and placed a hand on the young man's shoulder, causing Hiccup to look at his mentor with a quizzical expression.
"I don't think you have anything to worry about, lad," Gobber said with a small grin. "If I'm right, you'll find out what it is soon enough, I promise."
"Oh come on! That's what mum said. At least put me out of my misery, Gobber!"
"What's going on?" said Mulch who had just joined the conversation, hearing his Chief's loud voice from nearby. "What do you have to put Hiccup out of his misery for?" he asked as he turned to the blacksmith.
"Astrid's at the healers getting a check over. I was telling Hiccup he'll find out soon enough what it is."
Mulch frowned. "And will he?" he asked.
Gobber leant forward and whispered in the man's ear, and within a few moments, Hiccup was even more frustrated as he now watched Mulch's face turn to one of realisation with a large grin.
"Aye, Gobber's right, Hiccup, best leave this to your wife. It'll be fine," he said with a chuckle as he walked off back to his wife, Gobber following behind with an identical grin.
Throwing his arms up in frustration, Hiccup called after the two men. "Seriously?! You're just going to leave me with that? At least tell me if my wife is ill or not!"
Everyone in the hall stopped and stared at their Chief as he yelled after the two men retreating from him. Upon noticing everyone's glares, Hiccup threw his arms up. "What?" he said in annoyance. "I just want to know why everyone is keeping me...in...-" Hiccup began to trail off as he finally saw Astrid and Valka enter the hall out of the corner of his eye, "the dark..." he trailed off as he watched Astrid- now dressed in a beautiful long sleeved green dress for ceremonial occasions that trailed behind her like a small train- spot him from where she was and suddenly push through the crowd of Vikings in a rush to get to him. For a moment, Hiccup thought he saw a large smile lighting up Astrid's face as she rushed towards him, but within moments, all he could see was Astrid's hair as she flung her arms around him tightly, pulling him tightly against her.
"Astrid, thank gods," Hiccup said in relief. "I was starting to get worried about you. You've been gone all afternoon." He let go of her embrace to see tears welling up in Astrid's cerulean eyes. Heart shuddering against his chest, Hiccup took Astrid's hands quickly, failing to notice the smile that was also fixed on her face.
"Astrid, what's wrong? What did Lagetha tell you?" Hiccup asked nervously as he pulled her into his arms. "Is it serious?" he asked her weakly.
"Well, it's not serious," Astrid said slowly with a grin.
Hiccup paled. "But there is something wrong?" he asked anxiously.
"Wellllll..." Astrid trailed off with a teasing drawl. "Let's just say it won't be going away anytime soon, anyway."
"What can we do?" Hiccup asked quickly.
Astrid shrugged. "Nothing we can do" she said calmly. "Just got to wait...I guess..." Astrid looked up as she was talking and saw a look of pure horror etched onto her husband's face, causing her eyes to widen. He looked petrified! Knowing Hiccup was likely to keep worrying if she didn't say something, she suddenly started to laugh and wrapped her arms around Hiccup's neck, looking into Hiccup's eyes.
"Astrid, what are you laughing for? This isn't funny!" Hiccup said incredulously, before Astrid cut him off with a kiss. Eyes now widening in confusion, Astrid beamed widely at him before she reached up to cup Hiccup's face with her hands.
"Hiccup, I'm not sick," she said happily. "I'm having a baby!"
Hiccup froze at these words, not quite sure if he had heard her right. Looking at Astrid, she beamed and nodded at him to confirm, that yes, he had heard correctly.
"You're...pregnant?" he said slowly, as a smile began to light up his face.
"I'm pregnant!" she said joyfully, tears of joy filling her eyes. "8 weeks to be exact" she added with a bright smile.
"You're pregnant," Hiccup repeated, happily listening to the words as they came out of his mouth. His smile grew wider. "Oh gods, we're having a baby. This is amazing!" Suddenly lifting Astrid off her feet, Astrid squealed in surprise before emitting a giggle and wrapping her arms around Hiccup's neck. Meeting Astrid's lips with his, his grip on her tightened as Astrid responded eagerly, neither of them caring in the least at the couple of hundred Vikings now all staring at them from their various positions in the hall. Melting into his embrace, she never wanted to let go as they stood there, oblivious to the world. Until they needed air of course, and breaking off their kiss, breathing heavily, Hiccup gently placed Astrid back on to the ground, before he reached up to cup her cheek, tears now filling his own eyes.
"I love you," Hiccup said, his voice wavering for a moment, despite his smile.
"I love you too," Astrid responded tenderly as she met his lips in a tender kiss. "I'm sorry for making you think I was sick. I didn't realise you were so worried" she said.
"More like petrified," he admitted, but as Astrid opened her mouth to apologise, he shook his head beaming. "I don't care, I'm just happy about what is actually is. So, when is it due?" he asked excitedly.
"A month after our wedding anniversary, apparently," Astrid said with a laugh. "This baby sure has good timing on its side."
Hiccup chuckled lightly. "I can't believe we're going to be parents," he said in astonishment. "Like I knew we'd been trying, but it hasn't been that long."
Astrid smiled, before she took a hold of Hiccup's hands gently and guided it to her very small bump already protruding from her stomach. Feeling the small bump that was just there, Hiccup's eyes widened. Astrid had been right in noticing her small weight gain. Upon realisation that that was his baby in there, his emerald eyes filled with tears, as did Astrid's, who quickly sniffed and wiped them away.
"Oh gods, only 8 weeks and the hormones are already starting," she said quickly as she sniffed loudly.
"If you say yours are hormones, care to explain mine?" Hiccup asked her, as his eyes glistened brightly.
Astrid laughed and hit his shoulder gently, before giving him another swift kiss on the lips as Valka came over to them with a wide smile on her face. Upon noticing his mother, Hiccup gave her a grin before crossing his arms in mock annoyance.
"Thanks for tricking me, mum," he said with a grin which she returned.
"Anything for you, dear," she answered with a laugh. "But really, I had an inkling earlier and I decided to let Astrid surprise you. You're not mad are you?" she asked gently.
Hiccup smiled and took her in his arms affectionately with a kiss to the cheek. "No, I'm not mad. You're my mum, about to become a Grandma, I can't stay mad." Looking around at Gobber and Mulch nearby, Hiccup shook his head in irritation, "those two though, I'm not so sure" he added before looking back at Astrid with a proud smile. "Would you mind if I announced it now? This will really make the birthday celebrations."
"Go right ahead," Astrid beamed, as Hiccup excitedly took her hand and led her to the raised platform.
"Excuse me everyone!" Hiccup yelled loudly over the bustle of the crowd. When they didn't stop talking, Hiccup looked at Toothless who immediately gave a loud roar, instantly silencing the crowd of Vikings.
"Thanks, bud," he said in relief, before he turned to face the gathering of Vikings in front of him. "First of all, I want to thank you all for coming here tonight to celebrate my 22nd birthday, it means a lot." As talk started to arise about that though, Hiccup raised his hand to silence the hall, which was immediately affective. As he did so, he turned to look at Astrid with a loving smile, which she returned, before enclosing her hand in his. Turning this attention back to the throng of Vikings, he beamed widely.
"Tonight was already going to be a good night, but Astrid and I have just found out some news that has made my birthday even more special." Hiccup looked at Astrid affectionately, causing her to blush. "I'm pleased to announce that Astrid and I are going to be parents before the year is out. Very soon, Berk will have a new heir," Hiccup announced proudly.
The effect was immediate. Claps, cheers and whistles erupted throughout the Great Hall and before long, everyone was coming up to slap Hiccup on the back and hug Astrid, all while giving their heartfelt congratulations.
"Congratulations, you're going to be wonderful parents!"
"Good on ye, lad, lass!"
"Never knew you had it in ya, Hiccup!" Tuffnut sniggered as he approached with the others.
"Tuff!"
"See?" Gobber said with a grin as he clapped Hiccup on the back in congratulations. "I told ya you'd find out soon enough, didn't I?"
"No thanks to you" Hiccup said in irritation. "You made me think that Astrid was really ill!"
"Kept it a surprise though, didn't I?" Gobber grinned, which made Astrid snort.
"I guess that's...one specific thing," Hiccup mumbled, before he smiled and wrapped his arm around Astrid's shoulders and pressing his lips against her blonde locks. Astrid smiled and laid her head on Hiccup's shoulder in content.
Gobber beamed at the two of them, before he suddenly raised his arms to get everyone's attention. "I propose a toast!" he exclaimed loudly, "to Hiccup and Astrid, and their news. Everyone grab a mug!"
"Except me of course," Astrid said with a laugh as she grabbed a mug of water. "Something tells me I won't be having another drink for a long time..."
"And did you?" Siri asked as her parents finished relaying their story.
"Did I what?" Astrid asked in confusion.
"Not drink again for a long time," Siri said with a grin.
"Oh. No I didn't. You were almost 6 months old before I touched a mug of mead again, so by then, it had been almost a year," Astrid replied. "Lucky for me, considering how much everyone else drunk by the end of that night. Your father and I were one of the only ones still sober by the end of the night. And your Grandmother."
"Uncle Gobber?" Siri guessed with a giggle.
"Uncle Gobber," Astrid confirmed. "Although everyone joined in on their own this time."
"I wasn't going through that again," Hiccup shuddered.
Siri frowned as she thought of something. "How did Uncle Gobber know mummy was pregnant?" she asked curiously. "He's never been married."
Hiccup and Astrid laughed. "No, but he was around your Grandmother enough when she was expecting me to know the signs," Hiccup said with a laugh. "Apparently she gave my dad and him a lot of trouble with her food cravings. Gobber never forgot it."
Siri roared with laughter, before looking up at her daddy. "Did you really think mummy was sick before she told you the news?"
"I was petrified, baby," Hiccup admitted with a shudder. "I really thought your mummy was ill, but when she told me, I didn't care that everyone had kept it from me." He smiled proudly at his daughter as she crawled onto his lap. "You were the best surprise I could have ever asked for. Especially on my birthday." Wrapping his arms around his daughter's waist, he kissed the top of her head gently. "Then again, you always did have good timing," he said with a chuckle.
"We found out about you on daddy's birthday, and then you decided to arrive 2 weeks early on the anniversary of the Red Death's defeat," Astrid said with a beam.
"Which also happened to be two weeks after our wedding anniversary as well," Hiccup said in astonishment. "You had the most amazing timing."
"Except for her timing to get here of course," Astrid said with a grin at her little girl, giving her a quick tickle making her shriek with laughter. "You kept us waiting once I went into labour, Seer. Over 12 hours from mid morning until nearly midnight."
Siri grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, mummy," she grinned.
Astrid smiled softly. "You were worth it, baby, don't worry." Siri smiled happily and laid her head on her mother's shoulder.
"But that's also the reason why it took so long for us to name you," Hiccup chimed in. "Your mother was exhausted by the time you arrived, she was in no state to think of a name."
'I always wondered why it took until the next day for my name" Siri confessed. Then she grinned. "I know we've been talking all day, but can I have one more story?" she asked with an innocent grin.
Hiccup and Astrid groaned, resulting in laughter from the 8 year old. "Let me guess," Hiccup said. "You want to hear about your birth?" Siri nodded with a grin.
"Alright, but this is the last story, alright?" Astrid said firmly, and Siri nodded.
Hiccup shook his head with a laugh. "You're lucky we love you, baby," he said as he tickled her sides, making her squeal again, before she gave him a cheeky grin once more.
"I know you do, daddy," she said cheekily before she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Hiccup looked at Astrid with an amused grin. "She takes after you."
"And I taught her well," she replied humorously, before turning her attention back to her kids, one of which was no longer paying attention and was playing with Toothless on the floor, and Siri looked up at her parents in anticipation. "Where do you want me to start, Seer?" she asked the 8 year old.
Siri shrugged with a smile. "You choose, mummy."
"Alright then, the start of the day it is. Now..."
So, there you go, that is how Astrid found out she was pregnant :) I hope it was ok, and that I'm not as rusty as I think I am! But I'm glad to be back. I have a new respect for the teaching profession considering how busy I was on internship where I was at school from 8am until almost 5pm and then went home and did more work until bedtime. Hardest job in the world!
Next chapter will be the final flashback chapter when Siri is born, then I'm moving onto a plotline I've been working on for months. A 3 or 4 parter that will be heavy in emotions, and not the family stuff you're all used too, but after that, it will start to move on quickly with the ages and all. Bare in mind, that from now on, my updates will be fairly random due to how busy I still am, but I will update as often as I can.
Alright, as always DON'T FORGOT TO REVIEW! It's been so long and it would be nice to see my regulars review again :) I missed you all! Once again, sorry if I'm a bit rusty. I'll get better the more I get back into writing, I'm sure. Just remember, as usual, that NO FLAMES will be tolerated, but constructive criticism is fine as long as it's KIND.
Thanks for reading! :D I'll update as soon as I can.