Well, you can't say this update was too soon! I spent like five days crying over a ridiculously huge one shot. So I had lots of time and now I'm way behind...

-HTTYD-

"Honestly, I leave you alone for a few months! You almost die and you get your girlfriend pregnant."

Hiccup laughed, feeling Mala squeeze him into a hug. Her tan didn't stand out so much now, as it was summer even in the 'cold country' as she called it, but she still felt several degrees warmer than him. And of course, he was presently white as a sheet.

"I didn't almost die! I'm basically fine."

The other thing was utterly true though, and Hiccup couldn't resist immediately seeking Valka out, sliding his arms around her waist to rest his hands on her little belly bump. She was slow to show, but he could feel it and touch it and he was utterly enraptured by the small swell.

"You look radiant Valka."

Hiccup smiled at his girlfriend, watching her evident surprise at the compliment from Mala - they hadn't seen Hiccup's ex since a couple of weeks after Helena was born, and that was several months back now, and so Valka hadn't had much chance to feel slightly awkward around his younger ex-partner.

"I don't feel it. I'm too old for this!"

Nuzzling the side of her face, Hiccup kissed her cheek.

"You're incredible."

He was still early in his own recovery, barely able to be out of bed for more than a couple of hours without being tired again, but Hiccup wasn't starting from as sickly as Tyr. The little dragon was at his dads for the weekend, and everyone was tentatively hoping that all the negatives were done with. So far, Sven was perfectly cordial to them and he and Tyr were rebuilding their relationship while Sven helped with taking care of Tyr now he was out of hospital.

Valka was sometimes a little despondent about how little she felt she was doing for Tyr, but there was little they could do but help him get his strength back and wait - both pneumonia and meningitis had a long period of getting better. Both started physio the next week - Hiccup was back on his feet, relatively speaking, but he'd lost weight and muscle after so much time in isolation and, as an amputee, that meant he had to ensure his walking and prosthetic were alright.

The door knocked, then opened a few seconds later.

"Only me!"

"Astrid!"

Mala turned to greet her first, being closer to the door the blonde came through. They hugged, still firm friends despite the time since Hiccup and Mala seperated. Hiccup and Valka got hugs next, in time for Eret to appear behind, holding the real star of the show to his chest.

"Helena! Ah, you're so big!"

"You're definitely alright to hold her now, right?"

Hiccup nodded, itching to greet his little niece.

"Yeah, I checked. I'm safe enough to sleep with pregnant girlfriend, so definitely safe enough to hold baby."

Eret relented, waiting for Hiccup to sit down before handing over a sturdy little bundle of joy. Hiccup had missed weeks of her development, so much growth happening while he could only see photos on phones. He'd seen Astrid since he got out of hospital, but not Helena until the parents were assured Hiccup was no longer contagious. Astrid did acknowledge that Hiccup was obviously fine to see Helena, if he felt safe sleeping next to Valka while she was carrying his baby.

Valka looked to Astrid for assent in silence, eventually approaching and petting the soft black hair atop Helena's little head, smiling as she gurgled happily.

"Oh you are beautiful little one."

Despite everything, Valka was clearly still adjusting to being such an easily accepted part of Hiccup's family - she obviously understood she was accepted as Hiccup's girlfriend, but despite her own pregnancy she was reticent with Hiccup's niece. He'd be having words with her about that later.

"So, how is life in the sun Mala?"

"Well, it is certainly preferable to visit you with summer approaching than winter, I will say that much."

"I can imagine. Hiccup's practically see through after all that time in the isolation ward."

"Surely the important fact is that he is now home and, all things considered, well?"

Hiccup smiled at Mala, eyes turning back to his niece who was presently entertaining herself by drooling on his t-shirt, gnawing at it with her irritated gums. She was so very obviously Eret's, Sami features evident, but there were little things like Astrid's nose that Hiccup could pick out easily.

"Ooooh."

"You ok Val?"

"Mm. Just a little active today."

Ecstatic as he was about her even being pregnant, Hiccup wasn't naive, knew Valka was in the 'high risk' category a couple of times over and that they had to be careful, mindful, watchful. He handed Helena back to Eret, rubbing his hand over Valka's back as she rubbed her stomach.

"Why not go lie down love?"

"I think I might. Excuse me everyone."

"Oh, don't mind us, go get some rest. Take Hiccup, he looks terrible."

"Charming!"

Astrid winked.

"Seriously. Go take an hour. We're not going anywhere."

Giving his sister a grateful smile, Hiccup nodded, following Valka along to the stairs and up. He'd be unsteady on stairs for a while, but it was well worth the climb to get into bed, taking off his leg and snuggling up with Valka.

"I love you."

"I love you too. You didn't have to leave them for me."

"You do know I'm getting over a chest infection and need rest right? I won't deny the cuddles are a bonus."

She smiled, settling in his hold only to tense when Hiccup's hand drited down to her stomach.

"What is it?"

Quiet but still tangible, Valka sighed and he heard her breath catch at the end before she rolled over to face him properly.

"I... I'm afraid."

"Of what? Are you in pain?"

"No, I mean... I'm old Hiccup. I'm not talking about us, I'm talking about the baby. It's risky and dangerous and I worry that I-"

Her voice stuttered, something halfway to crying there in the last sound she made.

"Hey" Hiccup leant forward, kissed her forehead the way she usually liked "don't... I guess I can't say don't worry. I'm worried too. But since I know what you're like, if part of you is worried that if that did happen, that I would leave because this" his hand cupped her bump "told me I want a baby, you're crazy. I get it. You're worried something will go wrong, and because it took you eleven years to get pregnant that we wouldn't get another shot, and that was assuming you even wanted to try again. I'm scared of all that too. But I am not going anywhere, no matter what."

She burrowed into him, a little wet on his neck telling Hiccup there were tears, but she didn't really seem to be crying so he just tried to soothe her until she settled down, though they stayed tightly embraced for a while longer. Hiccup didn't really mind. He could cuddle with Valka forever. Slowly, she loosened up a little, cuddling up to his chest more comfortably and relaxing.

"I love you, you impossible creature."

Hiccup chuckled. It was the sort of thing she called him when he surprised her somehow, as though she had no other words for how she felt.

"I love you too, even though you're mean to me."

Valka tipped her head back, craning slightly until she could kiss him. She jolted, gripping Hiccup's hand and he worried for a beat before she was guiding him to feel little kicks and quivers, the two sharing an indomitable smile of joy.

"See? They are doing just fine. I know this is huge, but that's us in there. We didn't get this far to not keep going."

"I know. It was just seeing Helena and how she's so strong and healthy, and remembering Ty being early and small and-"

Hiccup kissed her, cutting her off gently before she talked herself into a tizzy.

"Hey, so was I. I basically fit in the palm of my dads hand when I was born, though he does have enormous hands so that means less than for most dads. You just need to accept that I will obsessively take care of you and Tyr... but I don't think that's new."

"No, that isn't new. Honestly, you're just... how did I get so lucky?"

"Pfftt, I'm the lucky one. You and Tyr... you guys are a part of my family. I feel privileged every day I get to spend with both of you."

They got some rest eventually, though Hiccup didn't fall asleep he felt heaps better just for the comfortable embrace, the quiet time and the resting of his worn out body. If Valka noticed he was even less impressive physically than before the illness, she didn't show it. Hiccup was wary of taking his shirt off in front of her all the same. If he told her, she'd probably roll her eyes.

"Feel better love?"

Making a soft, sleepy sound, Valka nuzzled him.

"Mmm, much."

Smiling, Hiccup was fine to stay there for a while, but Valka nudged him to get up since Helena was visiting and he'd already missed so much time with her. Reluctant to let go of warm, pliant girlfriend, Hiccup drew her back to the bed to kiss her soundly, only relenting when he started to get a little short of breath. Valka checked he was alright before laughing at his frustration, which was nice of her.

"Just you wait until my lungs work again!"

Valka cracked up giggling, giving him a fond smile when Hiccup turned from attaching his leg to glare at her. He couldn't help but smile back, heart fluttering with love. She lifted her shirt in front of the mirror, drawing Hiccup's attention as she examined her bump properly. Gods, she was gorgeous.

"What?"

She noticed him staring, probably completely doe-eyed for her.

"You. You're so beautiful."

Valka tsked, turning back to her reflection and plucking at things like her grey hairs, the fine lines around her eyes.

"Hardly."

Hiccup growled, climbing up from the bed and crossing to stand next to her.

"I mean it. Gods Valka, I could never put into words how much I love everything about you. You're beautiful inside and out, and if you think something like grey hairs is going to change the way I feel about you, then I have been wasting my time all these months with you."

Valka frowned, eyes eventually turning to his as her hands curled over her belly.

"You haven't. I suppose I just feel very old, I wasn't yet thirty when I had Ty and this pregnancy is already taking more out of me, and I'm not even halfway through."

"All the more reason for me to take care of you. Which means it is time I fed you, unless you want to stay up here and rest some more?"

"Food sounds good."

Grinning, Hiccup only let go of Valka's hand to hold the banister to go downstairs, then resumed touching her gently while they settled in the kitchen. Astrid heard them come down, appearing with Helena at her breast, the babe clearly thinking of food herself and nobody in the house even slightly phased by the sight of nursing.

"Anyone else hungry?"

"Eret's always hungry. And I could eat."

"Mala?"

"Well, I have missed your cooking more than anything."

Feigning insult, Hiccup laughed as he nodded and commandeered Eret as a kitchen helper - if Hiccup stumbled, Eret was strong enough to catch him. As were Mala and Astrid, but Astrid was busy and Mala was a little too aggressive with ingredients to be terribly helpful unless Hiccup was making soup and fine-dicing was what he needed. Valka could too, but he was supposed to be helping her relax.

"How long is Toothless staying with dad?"

Astrid asked between mouthfuls of pasta, chasing a sauce-coated chunk of vegetable around her bowl.

"Uh, basically until I'm up to walking him again. I miss him! But dad is coming over to sort out my sick leave from work tomorrow and he'll bring Toothless with him."

Nodding, Astrid chewed thoughtfully, eyes flicking around as she did so, landing on something before turning back.

"So Valka, when is your next ultrasound? They're giving you more frequent ones aren't they?"

"Indeed. Next week, now that Ty and Hiccup can finally come along."

"Oh man, you must be jazzed H!"

Hiccup nodded, beaming. He'd missed them all so far, only seeing sonograms but not hearing the heartbeat, seeing them move for himself. Valka had been offered one sooner, but Tyr wasn't up to it and he was as desperate to be there as Hiccup, so they pushed it back a few days.

"Yeah, I am. So is the little dragon."

"Well he idolises you, no wonder he thinks being a big brother is gonna be the best thing since sliced bread."

"Well, Ty was asking if Hiccup and I would have a baby after finding out about your pregnancy Astrid. I just never imagined it being possible."

"Enter Hiccup and his super sperm!"

Astrid punched her boyfriend squarely on the arm as Valka choked on her drink. Hiccup made sure she was breathing before he rolled his eyes at Eret.

"I'm sorry. I found him feral, I've been trying to make him fit for society but it's slow going."

Eret pouted, but lowered his eyes to his plate when Astrid glared.

"It's... fine."

Mala was quiet, but Hiccup could see her shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter at the whole situation. Helena began crying in the next room, and Eret was out of his seat before Astrid could think about it.

"I'll go!"

Shaking her head in exasperation, Astrid turned back to them.

"I really am sorry."

"It's fine. Really."

After they finished eating, Hiccup regained hold of his niece, tickling her pudgy belly and watching her kick and squeal in his lap. Valka cooed over the little girl, smiling when Hiccup caught her eye.

"I'll bring her by again in the week when I have a couple hours, I know Tyr wants to see her."

"Thank you Astrid."

Seeing everyone off that evening, Hiccup was already exhausted. Valka was most agreeable to some lazy snuggles on the sofa, nudging Hiccup awake when it turned out he drifted off after settling with his hand on her belly.

"Found something you like, I see."

Hiccup nodded, crawling up her body to kiss her.

"Do you know how incredibly sexy I find you?"

Valka sighed against his mouth, fingers tightening and loosening against his upper arm and he recognised the light flush on her neck, the way her eyes grew wider, wanting.

"Hiccup..."

He'd never tire of hearing his name on her lips, but Hiccup knew he was too tired to really follow through with anything his mind was conjuring up even as he felt himself twitch. Valka seemed to know too, restraining herself to a soft, gentle kiss against his mouth.

"Bed?"

"Bed."

There were a few kisses, but they managed to restrain themselves to that and some cuddles before sleeping. He had his dad and Toothless to see in the day, and Tyr would be back on the evening so really, Hiccup needed his rest. Unlike earlier, when Hiccup slid his hand down to Valka's stomach she made a soft, happy sound, lacing their fingers together over her rounding belly.

He was certainly looking forward to when he was strong enough to enjoy her changing body properly.

-HTTYD-

The fluffiest family to ever fluff!