Stand The Test Of Time
Rated; M
Pairing; Hiccup X Astrid
Disclaimer; I do not own HTTYD.

38. Epilogue

=Hiccup's POV=
[Sunday, 6/16/2030-2:00 pm]
[Isle of Berk; Hiccup & Astrid's Home]

Seven perfect years had passed since the day Astrid and I tied the knot as husband and wife. Seven tomorrow, in fact. All has been right in our lives. It was right when Astrid and I got back together after the eight year break up, but all that in the past; Astrid and I would be together forever now. A lot has changed since the wedding; all our friends are married with kids now too. Yes, I said kids; Astrid and I had a son, Nuffink, born two years later after our Zephyr, who just turned seven in May. Nuffink is four, about to be five in four months because he was born on October 17th, 2025. Astrid and I decided that a toddler and a newborn kept us pretty busy, so it was time for a long break until they got older. Astrid and I recently started discussing having another, but nothing officially decided on. My parents are still happily married with Gobber living there; I guess he's taken over my old room, the basement. Alvina and Calder, Astrid parents; are also still married and happy. Both families adore their grandchildren, always trying to take them. Astrid and I thought it was pretty funny actually.

So, for our friends lives. Dagur and Mala are still married and have five kids total; their youngest was born two years ago and stopped because Mala hit a point where it would be dangerous for her to have anymore kids. The last pregnancy was a tough one, and their child was born two months early due to complications with the mother. Mala was induced and had an emergency c-section. Regardless; the Bazirk Family is doing phenomenal now and still in their house on Berk. Heather, as a former Bazirk is doing great too; she is married to Fishlegs and they have three kids. The first was a daughter, and then like her older brother; she had twins, two boys. Fishlegs and Heather married after dating for two years, and the first child was born a year after marriage. As far as I know; they are done with children.

Snotlout and Minden married in December 2023, as they planned to. Minden ended up pregnant with her and Snotlout's first son just four months into the marriage. Now, they have a house and three more kids; all girls and said after the last, they were done. Adelaide is married to Tuffnut and they have three kids total; this included the son they give had in 2023. Adelaide and Tuffnut have a girl and another boy. I believe Adelaide said they were done as well, but Tuffnut is trying to get her to agree to one more. Thuggory and Camicazi got married after three years of dating; they had two kids, and then sadly…Thuggory passed away in 2027, overseas, on our fourth tour, back to Syria. Camicazi still lives on Berk with hers and Thuggory's son and daughter. Unfortunately…Thuggory got to see his daughter born, then we deployed and he died a month after going home for leave; his daughter wasn't even a year old yet.

That hit Dagur, Eret, and me hard. Thuggory died in my arms, and when the tour ended; I fell into a depression. My PTSD got worse and when I started drinking too much; I got help for it. I'm in a better place now, still drinking casually, as in when everyone gets together to hang out. Speaking of Eret; he is married to Ruffnut, and they five kids; the youngest is a year old. Eret and Ruffnut married a year after dating because Ruffnut got pregnant with their first daughter. It was a quick, shotgun wedding with close family and friends. As I said; everyone is married and doing great. Even Camicazi and her kids; she hasn't moved on, and I don't believe she wants to. I've done what I can to be there for her, Eret and Dagur too as we were Thuggory's best friends. So, that is where our lives are at now; everyone happy and safe.

I'm still in the military with Dagur, but Eret left. After Thuggory's death, Eret couldn't deal with the military anymore. It never came up in an evaluation; he just went to Drago and explained things. Drago understood and after doing some paperwork and jumping through hoops to get the discharge; Eret was out as of January 2028. Mine and Dagur's contracts were up a year ago, but we resigned for another six years. I think Dagur is going to be done after that, and I'm not sure about me yet. By the time that comes around; I'll be forty years old, I'm thirty-four as of February 2033, and Astrid is the same as of April this year too. I didn't intend on leaving the military until retirement in my sixties, or, Odin forbid it, but death. I'm doing pretty well in my job; I'm a Captain now, like Bludvist. I actually command my own company, named Myrkur, Dagur is my second in command at the rank of First Lieutenant. The fourth tour in Syria where Thuggory died was the first tour I went on with my own company, entirely different perspective to be in charge of all that.

I can honestly say I miss being a platoon leader; that was easier than being the boss. Also, things have been easier since leaving Special Ops, though, they've tried to get me to go back in. I refuse it. Regardless, everything is right in my life. I have an amazing, beautiful as the day I met her wife at my side, and two incredible children. We're still living in the same house; it'll be officially mine in another seven years.

"Babe! Everyone will be here soon for the picnic, can you give me a hand in bringing out the appetizers?" I hear my beloved wife call me.

"Coming, Milady," I replied as I saved my work in the office, now moved into the bedroom since Nuffink housed the original home office space, and then got up and joined Astrid in the kitchen. "What can I carry?" I asked.

"Just start grabbing the appetizer dishes," Astrid smiled. "Have you seen the kids?"

"They are out back; I put them in charge of sweeping the patio and wiping things down," I informed gently while getting grabbing a couple trays of snack-like foods and bringing them outside on the serving table we set up. Astrid and I took care of all that and saw the kids playing tag. I noticed Toothless and Stormfly both laying under the tree in a shaded spot. I felt a twinge of pain hit me as I saw Toothless; he was an old boy now; sixteen years old as of February, like me. I loved that we were born in the same month, something else that bonded us in my opinion. Toothless was retired from military work when he was twelve; there had been no choice because he couldn't pass the tests to prove he could still work. Toothless was slower now, his eyesight, hearing, and sense of smell were going. It hurt me because I knew Toothless probably didn't have long left.

I didn't need to take him to the vet to know all that. Astrid was a vet, and she told me when Toothless turned thirteen a couple months ago to start preparing to say goodbye because dogs tended to have, at the longest, a thirteen-year lifespan. I dreaded the thought of waking up one morning, or coming home from work and finding Toothless had passed on. However, somehow…Toothless has three years more than expected. I knew better than to hold hope for much longer, though. I made my way over to him; he still raised his head to greet me; I smiled lightly. "Hey, Toothless…How are you feeling today, bud?" I asked him. Toothless dropped his head; I knew he was getting weaker, and he didn't eat a lot anymore either. I didn't want to lose him. Stormfly whined a little; she was nine now. "I wouldn't forget about you, girl," I said, petting her. I focused on Toothless afterward; I sat in the grass near him as he struggled to move to lay his head on my lap.

"Babe, everyone is-," Astrid started and stopped. I knew it's because she found me sitting with Toothless; my dog had his head in my lap, I helped him do it.

"Is…Toothless…?" I hear Dagur ask.

"No, but his time is coming soon," Astrid revealed. I knew she was being quiet, but I could still hear them talking.

"I love you, bud," I told him as I did as often as I could; I felt tears in my eyes; I couldn't exactly help it. I've been with Toothless since he was two years old. I've had this dog for fourteen years, and the day he went…I was going to be a mess. I knew it would happen soon, but I prayed to every God and Goddess listening that it wouldn't be today. Not with everyone here, not outside. I want Toothless to go in the house, on his favorite bed in front of the fireplace; it was his favorite spot. I bent down and kissed forehead before getting up and petting Stormfly again; my back was to the others as I quickly wiped my eyes before facing them and smiling.

"Hey," I waved.

"Hi, son," Stoick smiled. I went to hug him and my mom, then Gobber, my aunt and uncle while Astrid greeted her parents. We switched after to greet our in-laws and friends.

"Well, let's get this started," Astrid said happily.

"Yes, absolutely. Snacks are on the table to your left and drinks are in the coolers. Uh…Green is alcohol, blue is water and soda, and the red is just for the kids; juice boxes," I informed.

"Yes, we have fruit punch and apple juice. I think some orange juice too," Astrid nodded.

"Always think of everything," Dagur said.

"We try," I chuckled while pressing the button for the music system. It was wired to the house, and outside speakers; all through Bluetooth. Hiccup was happy to be part of this; they all still tried to hang out at least twice a month at someone's house. Just a little picnic to catch up and keep the bonds strong. The kids loved to play together; and the oldest ones were Magne and Dagny, so they all played nice. The only ones not playing, except Ruffnut and Eret's youngest, who was only just learning to walk. But the child joined in for a fun game of rolling a boll on the ground. Also, the kids loved to play with the puppies.

Yes, Stormfly and Toothless had kids. A few litters over the years since Astrid and I got married; we've given the puppies away to good homes, but this last litter happened four years ago. Stormfly had six. Astrid and I gave away four of them and kept two. At the time, we thought Toothless was going to pass and wanted to keep at least one of his and Stormfly's offspring. We ended up keeping two because these two puppies couldn't be separated. One puppy, looked dead on like Toothless, all black, but with Stormfly's eyes. And then the sister had Stormfly's colors but Toothless's eyes. We've named them mini-versions of their parents. Toothy and Storm; Zephyr's idea and we couldn't say no to it. We'd have a piece of Stormfly and Toothless through their kids when they passed on. Stormfly wasn't doing too great either lately; Astrid and I wondered if it's because she sensed Toothless wasn't going to be with us much longer; we worried that when Toothless went, Stormfly might be right behind.

I tried not to think about such depressing things, but I couldn't help it. Neither could Astrid; we'd been trying to prepare the kids. Zephyr understood, but Nuffink was still young and didn't understand the full concept of death yet. But all that aside; this picnic was going good. I'd be starting the early dinner around 3:30 pm, for now; it was just snack-stuff. Right now; I'm just glad to be with everyone. I loved spending time with my family and friends; I was happier than I ever imagined I could be. All I saw was smiling faces around me, even Toothless and Stormfly in their old ages were trying to be active with the kids and their two that we held onto. It might have been little, but I saw the joy in our dogs' eyes and that, despite knowing we wouldn't have them much longer, made me feel all the better they were happy to their last days and had long, fulfilling lives with loving people. I guess that was some notion of comfort for the impending pain of goodbye.

"You're quiet today, babe," Astrid mentioned, standing behind me with her hands on my shoulders. I glanced up at her and smiled gently as she looked down into my eyes.

"Relaxed, for once," I joked because she and everyone knew how stressed out I could get.

"You look exhausted," Astrid rubbed my shoulders as I shrugged. "And here I thought I was the pregnant one,"

"You are," I laughed, and then I stopped, realizing what my wife just said. "Wait a minute," I shook my head, sitting forward and turning to face Astrid. "What did you just say?"

Astrid giggled a little; the one she did when she knew something that I didn't. "I said; and here I thought I was the pregnant one," Astrid repeated. My eyes scanned her figure, landing on her stomach.

"Y-You're pregnant?" I asked. Astrid nodded, smiling. "Wait, seriously?" I said again, getting to my feet now and standing before Astrid.

"Yes, I am," Astrid laughed some.

"Like…No joke? Astrid do not joke with me…Are you really, seriously pregnant again?" I stared at her.

"Hiccup, yes! I'm pregnant. Swear it on my life," Astrid held my hands. I pulled them free and lifted her up by the hips, swinging her around and then hugged her tightly. "That's…Great!" I paused again as something wasn't adding up. "B-But you…Got your period this month? How? When? Huh?" I asked, totally confused with widened eyes.

"I was only spotting, babe," Astrid admitted. "I assumed it was my period because I was tired, my boobs hurt, and the blood was light; I figured it had to be coming. But when I didn't see anything further; I decided to take a pregnancy test and it came up positive. I've…Already seen my doctor; I'm confirmed to be six weeks along as of today. I was going to tell you tomorrow on our anniversary, but I guess it just felt right to do it here with everyone over," she explained.

"So that's why you were late coming home on Thursday…You had the appointment," I said, realizing that it all made sense now.

"Why did you seem so surprised, son?" Valka asked. "Surely, you expected she could be if you were planning to have more?"

"Well, that was never decided on. Astrid I were thinking about having another one some time ago, but sort of left the idea alone when we thought Toothless turned thirteen and that he'd be leaving us soon. Then Stormfly had more puppies, Zeph broke her leg. I got busy with work, so did Hiccup…And yeah," Astrid shrugged. "We just kept putting the thought on the back-burner these past few years,"

"We were…Actually saving the talk for our anniversary tomorrow, but…" I smiled, holding his wife.

"Seems fate decided that we're having another one," Astrid stated, leaning into my arms. "But this is the last one," she remarked.

"Fine by me," I nodded. "Are you tying your tubes, or should I get the vasectomy?"

"I'll get my tubes tied; they can do it while I'm in the hospital after giving birth," Astrid informed.

"We'll be around to help you if you need it, sweetheart," Asvora said.

"Thanks, Mom," Astrid smiled.

"Us too," Stoick nodded. I completely forgot my dad retired from being mayor of Berk when he turned sixty-two, so he's been out of that job for two years now.

"We appreciate it," I nodded.

"Daddy! Why did you swing mommy around?" Zephyr asked with Nuffink beside her, holding his elder sister's hand.

I smiled, lifting them both up into my arms, but Astrid ended up taking Nuffink as we stood together as a family. "Because she told me something that made me excited,"

"What did mama tell you?" Nuffink inquired innocently.

"Mommy's having another baby," Hiccup told his two children.

"Really!?" Nuffink got a big grin on his face. "I won't be the littlest anymore! Yay!"

Astrid laughed a bit. "Yeah, but I'm still taller than you," Zephyr said to Nuffink, effectively making the youngest Haddock member right now pout.

"Buzzkill," Nuffink said.

"Nuffink Haddock! Where did you learn that from?" Astrid demanded.

"I woke up one night and heard daddy say it to you," Nuffink shrugged. Astrid glared at her husband.

"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third!" Astrid seethed.

"Hey now…I didn't know he was awake, Milady," I defended myself. "And Zeph, be nice. Your mother was taller than me for a while and then I became a teenager and now taller than her,"

"When is our new sibling going to be here?" Zephyr asked.

"About eight months, so…March?" Astrid smiled, relaxing a bit.

"Yay!" the two Haddock children cheered. Astrid and I set the kids down to go run off and play, or spread the news they were getting another baby in their family. Astrid returned to my arms and leaned comfortably.

"Well, we've been out of the newborn game for five years; think we can handle it?"

"As long as we're together," Astrid assured.

"There isn't anything we can't do," I replied as I kissed her deeply.

"Guess we have a reason to celebrate now," Dagur smiled.

"Yes we do," I agreed, sitting down and holding Astrid in my lap. While I sat here and watched everything; I couldn't help but think back to where it started. Way before Astrid and I even broke up or dated. My happiness started when Astrid and I became friends and then led into all of this. It was surreal to think that one friendship led to this moment right now in our lives. Astrid and I became friends, fell in love, started dating. For three years, it was perfect. My entire life was perfect. But as life goes; things often have to happen for bigger and better to come. I proposed to Astrid, and she said no, even if by accident and panic that she did. I left, and we didn't speak for two weeks. I joined the army and left when Astrid realized the mistake she made. For the eight years apart, through countless failed dates and semi-relationships; mine and Astrid's love for one another stayed strong and true.

We made it back to one another; got married, had two kids, and now a third and final on the way. My life was perfect, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. In a way; I'm glad things happened the way they did because it allowed me to make some new friends, and ultimately show me that I just can't live in a world without Astrid; the same was for her. Our time apart showed us that our love is true and meant to be. Our love stood the test of time, and it will continue to live on as long as we do. Until we take our last breaths; Astrid and I will be together, in love, in each other's lives.

Author's Note;Here we are folks, the end of the story! No more chapters for it; this was the end point. I hope everyone enjoyed it and is looking forward to the next piece I do. I can tell you now that I'm going to be doing my Descendants Of The Archipelago Two story, and another one, but I won't reveal that just yet. See you all soon! -Nightstar.