Not What You Expected
Author: Nightstar Fury from Nightstar Productions.
Rated: M for Mature.
Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD, Frozen, Tangled, or Brave.
48: Emergency.
It was nearing the end of August, the cold of fall was returning to the town of Berk and things had never been busier. Hiccup and Astrid had finished the baby's room completely. It was painted a neutral color for both boy a girl, and everything was in its rightful place. Clothing, diapers, and wipes were put away and ready to use for when the newest Haddock addition would make his or her arrival in 2 months. Hiccup had been working hard with Fishlegs and Tuffnut to push out some new songs for their CD which would be mixed with older songs from their earlier days. Everyone was hyping up to hear them since Hiccup's announcement on stage the night of homecoming prom that they'd from now on be performing without masks or face paint, they'd be themselves.
Their next concert was planned and tickets going on sale in September for the show in November after the baby was born. So practices and more recording sessions had been keeping Hiccup quite busy, that along side dragon racing which was about to take a break. Hiccup had been trying to fly Toothless as much as he could so they could get back in shape for the races, it was hard with Astrid's appointments being every two weeks but they made it work. Astrid and Hiccup spent their nights relaxing at home, sometimes with friends and sometimes without.
Calder and Stoick were working, handling matches and making sure they had the time off to be home for when Astrid was scheduled to give birth. Elsa, Eret, Anna, Heather, and Ruffnut were all preparing to go to college. Ruffnut and Heather had started moving things in to their assigned dorm. Eret opted to live off campus and he'd drive Elsa and Anna with him to school every day. Dagur and Snotlout both started working too, Dagur was working with Gobber and Snotlout was in another shop that worked on just cars. Kristoff was busy helping his dad and didn't come around a lot but had promised he'd see them as soon as the season slowed down. Merida was still working under her mom, being a receptionist and taking online courses through Berk University to get her degree for business and management since she'd be taking over in a few years. Rapunzel continued her job at a diner being a waitress.
Life was good for everyone. Hiccup and Astrid did a lot of bonding with their baby at night, both enjoying rubbing Astrid's belly and feeling the kicks when they talked to the baby. Astrid still worked for Gobber in the reception office, her hours still stayed about 4-6 and only a few days a week, she was always allowed to leave if she started feeling too tired. Today was a busy day, Hiccup not only had a race but practice too and Astrid had to work 6 hours. Currently it was about 4:30 in the morning when Astrid woke up with a sharp pain, she sat up quickly gasping a bit.
Being she'd been asleep in Hiccup's arms, he woke up when she moved so quickly. "Astrid?...What's the matter?" Hiccup asked tiredly, shaking his head to wake up a little.
"Sharp pain woke me up is all babe, it happens all the time...Go back to sleep. I'm okay." Astrid replied softly with a smile to him.
"You know I can't sleep when I worry about you." Hiccup smiled softly to her as he kissed her cheek.
"Hiccup you have a race today, and band practice...you need your sleep." Astrid responded looking at him.
"And I can skip both if my wife is in pain. You have work today too." Hiccup reminded her.
"I know..." Astrid took a few breaths as the pain faded and she smiled a bit. "See, I'm fine. Its gone...Go back to sleep babe..." Astrid yawned to him as she laid back down and closing her eyes.
"Alright, love you." Hiccup closed his eyes wrapping his arm around her and falling back to sleep instantly. Astrid laid awake for another hour and 30 minutes getting random pains every 15-20 minutes, she tried not to move a lot so she wouldn't bother Hiccup, she wanted him to be well rested for his race and band practice. She eventually fell back to sleep around 6am when Hiccup was just waking up for his flight with Toothless. Astrid slept until 10:30 when her cell phone sounded it's alarm for her to get up for work.
As soon as she got up she saw Hiccup was gone, Toothless too so she figured they'd headed to the track early. She got up, the pains were still there though and stronger than before. Astrid stayed on the bed for 20 minutes, the pains were coming now between 10-15 minutes. This worried her a bit but she pushed it off to Braxton Hicks contractions which Dr. Vali warned her would be start soon. Astrid saw a text from Hiccup on her phone, ::Morning beautiful. There was an issue at the track so I had to leave early. Hope you have a good day at work, text me later. Love you always. -Hic.:: Astrid smiled as she put it down and went to shower and get ready for work.
Leaving the house she made it to the car and drove to Gobber's shop. Astrid clocked in and saw Dagur and Gobber working on a big truck. "Morning guys." Astrid greeted smiling.
"Morning, Astrid. How are you feeling today?" Dagur asked looking over at her.
"Great. I'll be in the office if you need anything." Astrid nodded walking to the small room off the main garage and sat down looking through the appointment book. It was going to be a busy day, she got right to work calling people had appointments to remind them, then handling other customers who were coming in to get things that had already been fixed. Thanks to Astrid filing system, it was easier to find things and get people out faster. 2 hours in, she was sent on her first break around 1. Astrid ate a sandwich she made from home, and her orange. She drank water as per Hiccup's orders that it was healthier than anything else.
"So how's the lil one lass?" Gobber asked coming in to get a drink.
"Growing every day boss." Astrid smiled at him.
"Good to know. Still can't believe Iccup is goin to be a daddy in 2 months. I've known that boy since he was 2...certainly didn't have an easy life but seems like he made it through just fine." Gobber chuckled before heading back in to the garage to keep working. Astrid shook her head, Gobber was almost like a second father to Hiccup and she was glad Hiccup was surrounded by so many that loved him. Astrid finished her food and tossed the garbage, she slowly got up to go back to her desk when she got another sharp pain.
"Ow..." She whimpered. Maybe something was wrong, these pains hadn't stopped since she woke up and they were getting closer together. Astrid took a few breaths as she sat down at her desk and began working again trying to ignore the pain. Another hour passed as it was now 2:30, Astrid had just finished checking a customer out. "Thank you, please come again." She stated with a forced smile.
"Are you alright sweetie?" The customer asked gently.
"Oh yes, I'm alright. My child loves to kick hard." Astrid lied softly.
"If you're sure honey." The customer replied as she walked out and Astrid sat back down. The waiting room was empty now so she wasn't worried about anyone else seeing her in pain. They were now 5-7 apart and she was truthfully scared but didn't want to say anything. Hiccup was well in to his race by now, his phone was always off for those incase he ever forgot to turn off the ringer and risk scaring the dragons on the track.
The customer had been watching from the window and frowned, she moved over to the garage and approached Gobber gently making herself known. "Excuse me...are you the manager of this establishment?" Gobber turned and faced her.
"Aye ma'am. Can I help you?" Gobber replied.
"Oh no, I just came for my watch but I am concerned for your secretary...she seems to be in quite a bit of pain but hiding it well. I didn't know if you were aware." The woman stated.
"No actually, I wasn't. Thank you. I'll check on her. Have a good day." Gobber smiled, the woman nodded and soon walked off. "Dagur." Gobber said as Dagur walked over.
"What's up boss?" Dagur answered.
"Go inside and check on Astrid. I just had a customer tell me that she looks like she's in a lot of pain." Gobber told him. Dagur nodded and headed inside to see Astrid with her head on the desk whimpering in pain, an arm over her stomach.
"Astrid...are you okay?" Dagur asked softly approaching her.
"It...hurts so...much..." Astrid cried. Yeah, something was wrong for Astrid to be crying in pain.
"Let's call Hiccup." Dagur said pulling out his phone now.
"N–no...its off...he's...in a race..." Astrid panted out as her nails raked across the wooden desk leaving a few scratch marks.
"Then you're going home to rest. I'll drive you." Dagur said then turned towards the door leading out to the garage. "GOBBER! I'm taking Astrid home." Dagur called to him as he tried to help Astrid up to her feet. "Come on, Astrid...hold on to me. I'll bring your car home later, you can't drive right now." Dagur told her. Astrid reluctantly got to her feet as Dagur led her to his car and got her in the passenger's seat just as Merida drove up.
"Dagur, I'm on break for an hour. Are we still going to lunch?" Merida stated to him.
"We gotta cancel babe. Astrid's in a lot of pain, I have to take her home." Dagur stated.
"What's wrong with her?" Merida asked.
"Don't know, she was hunched over and crying in the office." Dagur replied calmly.
"She shouldn't be alone then. I'll call Elsa and Anna to sit with her until Hiccup gets home." Merida nodded as she got out her phone to call them, she paused when Astrid screamed out. "Astrid!...What happened?" Merida asked running over to Astrid's side of the car, she was sitting there with utter fear written on her face. Merida looked down to see Astrid's pants went. "Astrid...did your...water just break?" Merida asked. Astrid could only manage a nod. "Dagur! Hospital, now!" Merida ordered. Dagur jumped in the car and turned it on. Merida climbed in the backseat and rubbed Astrid's shoulders and rubbed them.
"What's happening!" Dagur asked quickly while driving.
"Astrid's water broke and she's...how far along are you again?" Merida asked.
"7 m–months...! Ah!" Astrid yelled out in pain.
"Dagur, her water broke and she's 2 months early...this is not good! Ssh Astrid...it's okay. We'll be there soon." Merida said trying to calm Astrid down since she was crying and whimpering in pain. "Just breathe...in and out. In and out..." Merida coached her softly. Astrid tried but it wasn't easy. Arriving at the hospital, Dagur carried Astrid inside to the emergency room. "She's 7 months pregnant and her water broke 10 minutes ago." Merida said quickly. The doctor nodded as they took Astrid away and Merida followed. "Find Hiccup!" Merida called out before disappearing in to the elevator.
Dagur wasted no time pulling out his phone and dialing Hiccup, after 4 rings it went to voice mail. Damn it, this wasn't good. What did he do? Dagur called Fishlegs, thankfully he answered on the second ring.
"Hey Dag, what's up?" Fishlegs greeted.
"No time. Are you at the race with Hiccup?" Dagur panted out.
"Of course, we have practice afterwards." Fishlegs replied.
"Astrid's water broke at work! Get him to the hospital, now!" Dagur said quickly.
"Oh no. Tuffnut! Get Hiccup's attention. Astrid's water broke and they are at the hospital." Fishlegs said in a panicked tone. "We'll meet you there!" Fishlegs then hung up.
(At The Race)
"He's on a Night Fury, how do you expect him to even hear us over this crowd?" Tuffnut asked. Fishlegs looked at the announcer box and rushed to get inside.
"Hey, you can't be in here son!" Said the announcer who had the mic off.
"Fury's wife's water just broke and she's...Fuck it. Gimme that!" Fishlegs demanded taking the mic and turned it on quickly. "STOP THE RACE!" Fishlegs yelled. He saw from the window that the racers stopped quickly.
"Hiccup!" Tuffnut panted running on to the track as Hiccup landed beside him now.
"What the hell are you two doing!" Hiccup snapped quickly.
"Dagur...called Legs. Astrid's...water broke...Go. They are at...the hospital!" Tuffnut panted. Fear washed over his face. Astrid's water broke..she was only 7 months along.
"TOOTHLESS! HOSPITAL, NOW BUD!" Hiccup yelled flicking the tail open as they sped off at top speed with Toothless's roar.
(The Hospital)
Hiccup reached the hospital in record time, he saw Dagur outside running up to him. "Thank Odin you're here. They took Astrid right away, Merida went with her." Dagur stated.
"What happened!" Hiccup demanded as he dismounted off Toothless.
"We don't know! She was fine all day, a customer told Gobber that Astrid looked like she was in pain. I went to check on her and she was hunched over crying in pain. I was going to take her home when Mer showed up, Astrid screamed and Mer saw that her water broken. We came right here. Go go now. I'll stay with Toothless." Dagur said. Hiccup rushed inside to the desk.
"Astrid Haddock was rushed in because her water broke...I'm her husband, where is she?" Hiccup panted.
"Maternity ward is on the second floor. Left coming off the elevator. I'll call them so they know you're coming." The receptionist said. Hiccup ran to the elevator and pressed the button quickly, he was scared as hell. He didn't understand any of this. Why had her water broken so early? Was it because of the pain that morning? He should of made her stay home, he should of stayed home. As the elevator reached the second floor and turned left he saw the entrance, a nurse was there with the door open for him.
"Are you Astrid's husband?" She asked him, Hiccup nodded. "Come quickly!" The nurse stated. Hiccup walked as fast as he could behind her to Astrid's room, he could hear her crying. Merida was sitting just outside pacing in fear. Hiccup's eyes took notice of the room they were in front of. Operating.
"What's happening...?" Hiccup asked in a fearful tone.
"Your wife's water broke very early sir. Right now she is currently 7 centimeters dilated but the baby is in the wrong position and she will need a c-section." The nurse told him gently.
"Will the baby survive..." Hiccup asked in a slow tone.
"We don't know until the baby is out...please, change in to these quickly. You can be with her in the operating room." The nurse said, Hiccup put the scrubs on and walked in to the room to see Astrid laying down, terrified.
"Are you the father?" Asked the doctor. Hiccup nodded as the doctor led him up by Astrid's head and gave him a stool to sit on. Hiccup immediately took Astrid's hand and smiled at her.
"Oh Gods Hiccup...oh gods..." Astrid panicked through her tears.
"Ssh...its okay. Everything is okay babe...ssh, I'm here now..." Hiccup said gently to her, as scared as he was he had to be there for her.
"Everything...isn't okay...I'm 2 months early!...What if...the baby doesn't..." Astrid began but Hiccup kissed her softly.
"Hey, don't talk like that...don't even think it. Our baby is going to be fine...I promise..." Hiccup whispered to her.
"We're ready to begin, Astrid can you feel that?" The doctor asked.
"Fe–feel what?" Astrid asked. The doctor gave a nod as they began the incision on her belly.
"Just focus on me babe...just a few more minutes and will meet our child. Everything will be okay, Astrid...it will. It has to be..." Hiccup said laying his head against hers. 'Mom...please...be with us right now...please...We need you...' Hiccup thought closing his eyes. Those 3 minutes were the longest of their lives until the both of them heard a cry ring through out the room, and then another one separate from the first, they looked at one another quickly.
"Mr. And Mrs. Haddock..." Came the nurse's voice as both of them looked over to see one holding a baby wrapped in pink, then a second nurse beside the first holding another baby wrapped in pink. "We'd like you to meet your daughters." The nurses said together smiling.
It was twins. Twin girls. That's why Astrid's labor started so early and the baby was in an opposite position. How had they never seen the second baby on ultrasound, or heard the second heartbeat? Astrid and Hiccup couldn't believe it.
"A–are they okay?" Astrid asked through the tears.
"Yes...both are fine. The first was born at 2:54pm, 3lbs and 2oz. And the second was born at 2:55pm, 3lbs and 9oz. We have to take them for tests to be sure but I think they are both fine. Very early but 'll keep you as updated as they come in, we wanted you to see them first before we took them." The second nurse said.
"Of course, do what you have too." Hiccup said softly with a smile of relief on his face. Astrid nodded as she laid her head on Hiccup's shoulder since he was leaning so close. The nurses then walked out of the room quickly.
"Daughters...we have two daughters, Hiccup..." Astrid said gently to him. Hiccup kissed her gently as the doctors worked on closing Astrid's belly. After another 20 minutes, Astrid and Hiccup were taken back to a room for her to recover in and they had yet to hear about their girls. Both had been born at only 3lbs, and a minute apart. They had been so little in the nurses arms. The doctor had told Astrid that once she'd been resting for a few hours, they would wheel her to the nicu with Hiccup so they could see them better once their tests had been done. All they could do was wait now.
