After some concerns y'all had forgotten the fic (mostly mine), we were very happy to see the response to last chapter!
Also, none of us expected the fic to kind of... go so long? But there's something of a time jump in this chapter.
-HTTYD-
"Mama!"
Astrid looked down to find Henry toddling over to her, holding his arms up. He'd learned to walk unaided a week or so, and now used that skill to get himself to Astrid whenever he wished for a cuddle.
"Hello baby boy!"
She scooped him up, felt him hug her back as soon as he could reach. Henry patted her cheek, flashing her his gap-toothed smile. Heather was smiling from the other side of the room, waiting for Astrid to give her the go signal.
"Do you know what day it is today?"
Henry shook his head, drooling and gnawing on his pudgy little fist.
"No? Well, I do. It's a very special someone's birthday!"
Swinging him around a little, Henry laughed and squealed, giggling even harder when Astrid pulled him back in and kissed his chubby cheeks.
"Are we doing this? I want cake!"
"So impatient!"
Heather stuck her tongue out.
"I baked it, now put him down so we can sing the most uncomfortable song in the world."
Astrid grinned as she placed Henry down in his high chair, though he was close to outgrowing it already.
"You're growing like a weed baby boy!"
She ruffled his hair and waved Heather to come over, complete with birthday cake topped with a 1 candle. Henry was transfixed by the candle - or possibly the cake - as they sang, and Heather used her phone to record as Astrid leant down, helping Henry blow out his first birthday candle. He didn't seem to understand, but clapped along with them before reaching out toward the cake with interest.
"Ah, a boy with good taste!"
Heather joked as she put her phone away, promising she'd send Astrid the video at some point before ruffling Henry's hair.
"Don't worry, you'll get a piece but as candle wax is not tasty, lets get the candle out first. And cut it, because I doubt even you could finish it all alone."
"He'd give it a good go!"
Astrid laughed as she tickled Henry's belly, which made him squirm and pout. She loved his hearty appetite, never took for granted that he was so sturdy and healthy after her fears early in pregnancy. Heather plated him up a little bit of cake, which Henry promptly smushed with his hand before realising it was food.
Eating hers with a little more grace, Astrid complimented Heather on the job she'd done baking it before snapping a few photos of Henry beaming and covered in cake. She pushed back the ache of thinking they should be here, focusing instead on ensuring her son had a wonderful first birthday. His gifts weren't plentiful with only her, Heather (and by extension, Dagur) and Cami getting him things, but they'd all been very nice to gift practical things - bigger clothes, hardy little boots, things to stimulate learning or help with weaning on to more solid food, though for the moment Astrid was happy to keep supplementing with nursing; it was a nice bonding experience, and Henry still asked for it.
"Is Cami coming here to meet you?"
"Nah, she said we'd meet at the park, since it's a nice enough day out by Henry standards, she thought we'd want to take him on the swings."
"Sing!"
Henry crowed, arms in the air to show his excitement at the prospect.
"Alright, but in a little bit. Let the cake go down first, we don't want you spewing in the park."
He pouted, but when the option to cuddle Astrid was offered Henry was very happy to take it. There was a brief nap before he was eager to get to the swings, so Heather put the rest of the cake away in the fridge while Astrid got him dressed to head out. It was winter outside, but Henry's Sami blood seemed to kick in and he loved to be out in it. There was no rain or icy snow, so while the park was largely empty, it was alright to go out in with Henry sufficiently wrapped up warm.
Cami looked less pleased about it, glaring over her scarf until Henry waved at her, at which point she lightened up.
"It's a good thing he's cute."
Henry beamed, wriggling anxiously to get on the baby swings and squealing with delight when he was pushed back and forth between Astrid and Heather, kicking his legs in the air. They spent a little while there, the bleak grey skies not enough to dampen the spirits of her joyful little boy. Heather and Cami left together after hugs from Henry (and Astrid, but Henry was cuter), and Astrid managed to get she and her son home in time to miss the incoming storm clouds. Of course, the sound of thunder outside lulled Henry to sleep, so Astrid ate more birthday cake and cleaned up the wrapping paper.
He woke up hungry, then seemed to have found his next wave of energy and got to work testing the destroy-ability of any new toys he'd gotten for his birthday. Astrid spent most of the afternoon and evening trying to keep up with him, eventually tickling him into submission before he was content for mama-cuddles again. Astrid watched with a sad sort of fondness as he gnawed sleepily on the corner of that pillow. He liked it because it smelled like her, from all the times Astrid had clutched it tight for comfort, and had taken to chewing on one of the corners to ease his teething pains.
Astrid brushed her fingers over his soft dark hair, tracing the shape of his nose until Henry reached up to grab her finger, holding it victoriously until he fell asleep. Even then she had to extract it carefully so as not to wake him, full of love for her son as she watched his chest rise and fall.
Heather returned a couple of days later, bringing more cake as Astrid had confessed to finishing Henry's birthday cake the day before (she had shared some with the birthday boy, but insisted she was protecting his new teeth by eating the sugary treat), laughing as Astrid dramatically cheered over it.
"You act like you have never eaten cake."
"I've gotten out of the habit of cooking much for myself and eating whatevers quick, I'm more focused on making food for Henry."
Heather still made sure she ate relatively well, cooking big batches of meals and freezing them when she was over, otherwise Astrid would probably live on tinned soup and instant noodles. Maybe some toast, just to liven things up.
"Yeah, me and Cami were talking about that. Not food, specifically, but how your time is entirely around Henry now."
"Well yeah, I'm a single mother who works from home."
It was only recently Astrid had taken up running again, going for jogs (that winded her a lot more than they had when she was younger) whenever Heather was over.
"Yeah, I know. Which is why we decided to offer very politely but firmly to take Henry for a night."
"What?"
A couple of hours in the day was one thing, but in his whole year of life, Henry hadn't spent an entire night away from her. Heather held her hands up, trying to pacify her.
"Hey, calm down. This is what I was trying to get at. I'm worried about your seperation anxiety. You're going to have to get used to being away from him eventually, you know."
Astrid continued to glare.
"I do not have separation anxiety."
"So you're ok with us taking him for the night?"
She absolutely trusted Heather with Henry, had done since he was born - Heather had watched him while Astrid showered after returning from the hospital. But still, she'd never spent a whole night away from her son.
"What if he needs me?"
"He'll always need you, but I think it would be good for both of you to have more than two hours apart."
Astrid bit her lip, looking down at where Henry was rolling around on the floor, giggling to himself as he played with some toys. Occasionally he'd turn and look for Astrid, offering her his still-mostly-gummy smile.
"I... I don't know."
"I'm not saying tonight, just... think about it, ok? I'm worried about you."
Astrid thought about it. Ummed and ahhed about it for several hours, veering back and forth on agreeing with Heather, acknowledging that Henry needed variety in his life and that Heather was definitely capable of caring well for him, but also unsure what she'd do with a whole evening alone with her thoughts.
When she broached that with Heather, her friend had a think.
"Well, when I'm bored without Cami there, I have wine and bad TV. You can pump before drinking, then pump and dump in the morning. Plus you haven't had alcohol in a year, it'll probably only take you three drinks to be on the floor."
"Are you comparing your girlfriend to my year old son?"
"They're both loud, energetic and tiring. Cami is toilet trained though."
Astrid couldn't help laughing, Heather chuckling along with her. Worried he was missing out, Henry started fussing, still having trouble getting from lying to standing as he tried to skip the in between. Leaning down, she hefted her big boy up on to her lap, tickling under his chin.
"What do you think baby boy? You want to go for a sleepover at aunt Heather's house?"
"Hewer!"
It wasn't that surprising he'd picked up such a sound, given that Heather's name was the one he heard most other than his own. And at least "mama" had been his first word. The "th" sound was a little beyond him, though, but Heather obviously got the idea.
"See, someone likes the idea. Maybe he wants to know where I come from, I just turn up here or take him to the park."
Seeing how content Henry was to be around Heather was enough to nudge Astrid in that direction and acknowledge that yes, he probably could do with some variety in his life. Letting Heather take him for an evening probably would do them both some good.
"Alright. We'll pick a day he can spend the night with you. But you have to bring him home if he gets really upset or sick. And I want updates that he's eating and sleeping or I'm just gonna worry."
Heather gave a solemn nod before her face broke into a smile as Henry turned around, grabbing her and pulling himself to his feet to stand on her lap and squeeze her around the neck - a classic Henry-hug, enthusiastic and impossible to ignore.
Astrid debating cancelling the whole thing about a hundred times before Heather and Cami came to get him. Which probably said it was necessary, and that she did have some separation anxiety about the whole thing.
"I brought you a gift!"
Cami presented her with a (ridiculously big) bottle of wine, which Astrid took with faint bemusement.
"You don't actually think I'll finish this, right?"
"Not at all. But when we bring him back tomorrow, you can give us the rest and it will go to good use. The bigger bottle was on sale, and this is my favourite wine, so it's a big deal that I am offering to share, ok?"
Cami managed to say all that without seeming to take a single breath, already eyeing the bottle longingly. Astrid put it down to give Henry another cuddle, breathing in the soft baby smell he still had.
"Be good for Heather baby boy."
"Where's the booby-juice?"
"Cami!"
Ignoring the chastising from her girlfriend, Cami looked to Astrid expectantly.
"In the fridge. He usually goes through two an evening, but there's extra for if he wakes up hungry cus you won't want to feed him food and clean him up in the middle of the night. He should sleep through, but he does wake up for a feed sometimes."
Cami retrieved the milk Astrid had bottled up, then picked up the bottle warmer Astrid pointed out too. Heather had fed him expressed milk before, so Astrid wasn't worried about that.
"I know how to get him back to sleep, don't worry."
Astrid nodded to Heather, kissing Henry's cheeks until he giggled.
"Mama is gonna miss you."
He tried to copy her words, making vaguely similar noises as Heather grabbed his teething ring from the freezer and counted nappies in the bag Astrid made up for them. Her friend had taken care of Henry dozens of times, and Astrid knew she was worrying about nothing, but she was worried nonetheless.
"Teething gel?"
"Yep."
"Nappy cream?"
"Yep. And I have baby wipes at my place anyway, because they're multi purpose. So even if I managed to go through this brand new pack" she lifted it from the bag sarcastically "Henry would still have a clean tush. Now hand him over before you start crying."
Heather said it with no venom - she knew it wasn't easy on Astrid. Astrid kissed Henry's hair, then reluctantly handed him over to Heather while Cami picked up the carrier seat.
"Ok little guy, let's go on an adventure to my house."
Astrid watched them out the door, and then out of the window, until Henry was safely strapped in and the car had pulled away. Once they were out of sight, she let out a heavy sigh. She felt weird. On the one hand, she felt free and light, and it was for the first time in forever she was able to do whatever she wanted. But it was also odd to not have Henry around, to not schedule her every hour around him. Logically, it shouldn't be so much different from when Heather took Henry to the park so Astrid could work in peace for an hour or two. But it was, and without him, she found herself feeling adrift, lost even.
For a while, she simply walked from one room to the other, picking up toys and dirty clothes that hadn't made it to the washing basket yet. But after checking her phone three times in one minute, Astrid decidedly shoved it away from her and ran her fingers through her hair.
"Get a grip, girl" she muttered to herself "he's fine!"
Simply waiting for Heather to send the promised update was stupid, Astrid had to admit that much to herself. This night off duty had been a gift from Heather and Cami to her, she knew that. And she was going to use it as best she could, whether the reluctant part of her brain liked it or not.
Rather than hit the wine immediately, she opted to go for a jog. The first five minutes were stressful with Astrid again regularly checking her phone. But then, she decided to leave it in her pocket and not check again until she was home. If Heather did call, Astrid would notice. Actually somewhat successful in convincing herself, running became easier to focus on. It was liberating to not pay attention to the time so she would be back home before Henry missed her.
In the end, she only managed little over half an hour, but that was more due to the dark grey clouds on the horizon and knowing it was likely to start raining soon. Once back home, there was a text from Heather, complete with a photo of Henry Cami must have taken, where Henry was sat on Heather's lap getting stuck in to a bottle.
"Confirmation he's eating. Will update if and when sleep occurs. Now relax!"
She did chuckle a little at Heather pretending to take her request so seriously, but was also relieved to see her son looking happy enough as he drank his milk.
"Fine, I'll relax!"
Astrid yelled at her phone, though as it wasn't a call, Heather obviously wouldn't hear her.
Laughing at herself, she used the unusual amount of free time to take a long and relaxing shower, even treated herself and her hair to a deep conditioning treatment, the one that needed to stay in for thirty minutes before she washed it out and that left her hair feeling like silk. Gods, was it really over a year since she'd last done that? The thought made her giddy.
Humming – even as she rolled her eyes at herself – she dried her hair and put on some comfy pyjamas. Then she used the time to clean up the kitchen a little more thoroughly than usual, a little losing her sense of time as she worked. Not that she particularly enjoyed cleaning up. But doing something without getting interrupted every few minutes felt actually really good.
There was still some of Heather's frozen pasta in her freezer which she reheated, for once eating while her food was still warm. She was halfway through her meal when Heather sent a picture of Henry fast asleep, thumb in his mouth, looking so precious and beautiful Astrid's heart ached a little with how much she loved her little boy.
"Fussed for a bit, but had his other bottle and is now out like a light. Enjoy your evening!"
Astrid smiled wistfully at the picture. She really missed her baby boy, and even though Heather was right and it was good for them both to spend a little time apart, she was looking forward to holding him in her arms again tomorrow.
It was going to a rather lonely night.
But she was supposed to enjoy her night, and that was what she would do! She eyes the bottle of wine a little skeptically, but then decided she'd done enough adulting for the day, grabbed the bottle, and headed out to find something not-from-the-kids-section on Netflix. She knew all the characters of several cartoons as it was, and that was with trying to limit Henry's screen time. Pouring a mug (she didn't have wine glasses) of wine out, Astrid curled up on the sofa, missing her little boy and noticing how quiet and empty the whole flat seemed by then. Even with a few toys still scattered on the floor.
It had been a while since she'd seen The Notebook, the last time she remembered seeing it being when she was around twelve. Hesitating between the nostalgia and finding new content that didn't involve the Paw Patrol, Astrid decided to go with the sure thing.
The movie started, after the scene with the old man reading his old lady-friend, with Allie's first meeting with Noah; it was love at first date, of course, after Noah harassed Allie into an outing by threatening his own life if she didn't go out with him.
Astrid rolled her eyes, thinking how if any guy had tried that shit with her, she'd probably have told them to let go of the metal bar and leave her alone. Guilt tripping blackmail was hardly the basis of a great romance, but the film was still an iconic romance. Apparently.
Then again, Astrid was hardly a poster child for healthy romance.
By the time the movie had reached where Noah and Allie had their argument, Astrid was on her third mug of wine, and was trying to blink away tears. And by the time Astrid was watching Noah look for Allie and writing to her every day, she was already sobbing, emotions equal parts grief and her being infuriated with herself.
Had they ever looked for her? She was their sister after all, so the likelihood was there, but… Astrid paused the movie and chugged the rest of her mug.
Dangerous road to go down, brain.
She reminded herself, reaching for the bottle and watching the red liquid splash into her mug, her eyes swollen and slightly stinging. Sniffling, she put the bottle down on the table, groaning when it almost toppled over. She'd brought it down harder than she thought she had. How drunk was she?
Astrid resumed the movie, but had to stop watching when Allie got engaged to Lon. She knew what was coming.
Noah would return from the war, and his father would sell his own home so Noah could purchase the house he and Allie had dreamed about.
Between her eyes being swollen, her drunkness and her sobbing, Astrid couldn't even see the screen any more, but honestly she didn't even want to.
Her chest was burning, and her throat thick with emotion. She couldn't bear to see Noah find Allie on the street and see her kissing another man. She couldn't bear it, especially because she knew the story had a happy ending and hers wouldn't.
At least not like the ones in movies.
Sighing in resignation, Astrid curled in on herself. If she allowed her thoughts to wander then they still only went to one place, one image, the same dream she'd had over a year ago. Of coming home to them, of their smiles and their arms around her. Of being a family in a different way.
But that happy ending was impossible and it was only ever going to stay a dream. She had to accept that, and the only thing she could do now was be a good mother for Henry.
And yet... she couldn't help herself, couldn't stop wondering. What were they doing now, how were they? Had they moved on? If she looked for them now, would she also find them kissing someone else? Astrid didn't think she would be able to bear the sight.
Rubbing her arms, Astrid stood, stumbling, attempting to steady herself.
She was such a mess, fretting painfully about whether or not she was ever going to be assured that her son had a bright future. She didn't even know how she'd gotten to where she was now. At times, it seemed like she would never be able to offer him the life he really deserved, merely a stable one. And that didn't feel like it was enough for her little boy.
A low whimper escaped her and she leaned against the nearest wall for stabilisation. She needed someone to comfort her, to tell her it would all be okay. Someone to help her make a plan that would make it all better. That would ensure things would go well, that she wasn't failing her son.
But that was the problem, wasn't it? There was only one person she could talk to, one person who was willing to help her. And she was relying on Heather too much already, she couldn't burden her any more. She couldn't stop Heather from living her own life. And practically speaking? It was too late into the night to call her anyway, let alone to wallow in her own self-pity and grief. That was certainly not why they'd offered to take Henry for the night.
The TV darkened, Netflix showing the message that asked her 'are you still watching?'.
Astrid let out a shaky sigh. She yearned for someone to put their arms around her and protect her. Or just someone to encourage her, someone she could talk to. But there was nobody she could call, nobody who would support her.
Or… was there?
Astrid dismissed the thought as soon as it came, but like a persistent boomerang, it came right back. Miserable and drunk, Astrid stumbled over to her phone, number buried in her memory as clumsy fingers mashed at the keypad.
It rang once before Astrid considered hanging up, the next two rings seeming hours apart. She was just about to give up, hang up and go back to lonely wallowing when there was a crackle on the other end, a sleepy voice speaking.
"Hello?"
As she rocked back and forth, trying not to look all around in hopes of catching a glimpse of her a second sooner, Valka shuffled from one foot to the other. She was long used to being secretive with her husband. Their marriage was still shaky at best, and that was probably the only reason Valka had been able to take Astrid's call properly - her husband was sleeping in another room.
Oh gods, it had been so good to hear her daughters voice again. Not that Astrid made a great deal of sense that night, obviously drunk when she called. And, when Valka had frantically questioned Astrid in an emotional rush, Astrid had burst into tears.
The call hadn't lasted that long, but it was contact, and Valka had called Astrid back the next morning (and learned that Astrid was annoyed she'd been too drunk to remember to hide her number). Her heart still ached when she heard the childish babbling in the background, realising that was her grandchild. The child of two of her own children. With over a year to get past that particular bombshell, Valka had pretty much come to terms with it. There was nothing to be done now, she reasoned, and ultimately, her concern was her children being happy and safe.
Astrid was apparently regretting calling her, but after a fair bit of wheedling from Valka, she had agreed to see her. On the absolutely non-negotiable condition that Valka said nothing to Eret and Hiccup. Valka still wasn't totally sure she'd made the right choice, but then if she had told her sons, all she'd have was a number Astrid could change. No address, nothing but a phone call.
And, perhaps selfishly, Valka was dying to meet her grandson. So she'd agreed to what Astrid said, guilty as she felt for it.
Standing in the street, people did pass her by. Astrid managed to take her completely by surprise, only a peek of blonde braid before someone in a black hooded jumper lowered said hood, revealing her daughters face.
"Astrid!"
She didn't get a chance to say anything back before Valka was hugging her, and in some danger of simply crying there in the street for people to see. Astrid patted her a little awkwardly, before mumbling that she couldn't breathe.
"Sorry, sorry."
Valka backed up a step, still feeling a few tears sting the corner of her eyes as she finally took Astrid in properly. She looked tired, but no more than could be expected of a single mother to a one year old, Valka suspected. And she looked a little thinner and paler than Valka remembered, but not so much that it seemed sickly. After a minute of just staring, Valka realised Astrid had come alone.
"Where is he?"
"He's with Heather. I'm making sure you came alone before I risked him being ambushed."
The protective note in Astrid's voice made Valka oddly proud, despite the fact it hurt that Astrid didn't trust her. Although, she had agreed to let Valka see her, and meet her son.
"I did."
"Does da- does he know you're here?"
The near-slip didn't go unnoticed, but Valka didn't call her on it.
"No. He doesn't know I see the boys, either."
Valka waited for Astrid's response. Her mouth tightened, eyes shut as she sucked in a breath before her face was neutral again.
"Sounds like a great relationship. Suppose I can't really cast stones there. Sorry if I tanked your marriage as well as everything else."
She wanted to say something to reassure Astrid, to say all the things that had ran through her mind over the months her daughter had been gone. But Astrid didn't give her the chance, already turning and starting to walk off. Valka hastened to follow her, heart starting to thump harder in her chest when Valka spotted a young woman leaning over a pushchair, though the angle meant she couldn't see inside.
"Mama!"
"Hello baby boy!"
Valka could barely breathe as Astrid leant down to the pushchair, obviously fumbling with something before she straightened up and Valka finally got to see him.
"Oh!"
He was a beautiful little boy, with dark hair and chubby cheeks, beaming brightly at Astrid before he reached to squeeze her tightly in a hug. And gods could she see Eret in him, leaving no room for doubt. Although there never really was anyway - her children wouldn't have confessed to that... affair of theirs if there was any room for doubt and denial in the paternity of Astrid's baby.
Wide amber eyes, a lighter shade than his father, eventually settled on Valka, his little face curious as he gnawed on a pudgy hand.
"Can you get his teething ring for me?"
"Sure" Heather, Valka assumed, answered before leaning down to root through a bag "here you go Henry."
Henry turned to Heather's voice, reaching for the ring and jamming it in his mouth before he turned back to staring at Valka. Astrid managed to turn so both she and her son could look at her, face unreadable as she saw Valka staring at her grandson.
"Shall we head over to the park, rather than just stand here awkwardly?"
Valka tore her eyes away from Henry to look at Heather, who she'd actually never met in person, but had heard a fair bit about from all three of her children at different times. Astrid was already agreeing, and as soon as Henry realised they were heading that way, he got very animated.
"I'll go sit with the baby stuff, give you two a minute to talk."
Heather commented, giving Henry an affectionate hair ruffle that made him giggle before she took the teething toy he'd lost interest in in favour of one thing in particular.
"Sing!"
Despite the cold weather that kept the park largely empty, Henry seemed completely unfazed by any chills as Astrid dropped him into the little swing and began to gently push him, his joyful squeals breaking the otherwise awkward silence. He was big, even for over a year old, and it reminded Valka strongly of when Eret was a toddler too, constantly outgrowing his clothes.
"Sing mama!"
Henry crowed, obviously unimpressed by the pace Astrid was swinging him at. After a minute, Astrid looked up at Valka.
"You wanna take over?"
Astrid stepped to one side, Valka being watched keenly by an expectant toddler until she began to push him gently in the swing, at which point he resumed his happy giggling and wriggling. Her arms were tired before Henry was satisfied, and it seemed he only wanted to stop because he was hungry. They joined Heather on the bench, Astrid shifting Henry on her lap until he was happily nursing. There was so much love in Astrid's face when she looked down at him, and while Valka wished that she, Eret and Hiccup hadn't been missing out on his life, it was very clear Henry didn't feel like he was missing out on anything.
"Looks like it's gonna start raining."
Heather commented, indicating the heavy grey clouds. Astrid nodded, glancing up before she looked back down at Henry.
"I'll let him finish eating and we'll head back."
"Are we... is your mom coming with us?"
Astrid frowned, as though she hadn't considered it. Valka stayed silent, hopeful but also terrified.
"I guess so."
They walked back in silence save for occasional babbles from Henry, and Valka fretted somewhat about where Astrid was living. Not that tower block flats were bad, but she certainly felt relieved by the sight of a heavy duty lock on the front door when they entered, and it was definitely small.
Heather offered to take Henry to change him, leaving Valka with Astrid and a lot of burning questions.
"Are you and Heather..."
"No. She's a friend. And actually, she's been dating a nurse that she met in the hospital when I was in labour. Because not even childbirth was enough to slow Cami down."
"Cami?"
Astrid nodded.
"She's about five foot tall, absolutely feral and Henry thinks she's funny."
Valka couldn't help but laugh at the bizarre description, looking around at Astrid's flat some more. There were personal touches littered around - toys, photos, baby clothes. But it was all centered around Henry. Astrid was only in a couple of the pictures. There was nothing to suggest Astrid had other family. Valka didn't need to ask to know why there was nothing that suggested Astrid had been raised by a proud Sami man. In fact, she only recognised one thing that said Astrid had a life before her son was born - a blanket that was folded up and hung over the back of the sofa, which Valka recognised because she'd made it for Astrid.
Henry toddled back into the room being followed by Heather, lighting up when he saw Astrid again and making a beeline for her. Heather hovered mindfully, as Henry still seemed a little unsteady on his feet. But Henry made it to Astrid, reaching up to be lifted into her arms where he settled quite happily, gazing up at his mother with doting eyes.
"Are you sleepy baby boy?"
"Nuh."
He then yawned, which ruined the credibility of his denial somewhat. Astrid smiled at him, holding him with one hand and stroking his hair with the other as she sat down, wrapping the blanket from the top of the sofa around him. Warm and comfortable, Henry was asleep in seconds.
"Little cutie."
Heather commented as she looked at him, before looking back up at Astrid.
"You want a coffee?"
"Oh my gods, yes. He was up half the night and wouldn't sleep til I let him in my bed."
Chuckling, Heather nodded at her friend before she looked to Valka.
"You want a drink?"
Astrid did glance up from watching Henry.
"We do have green tea in. Mostly for Heather, but I'm sure she'll share."
Valka nodded before thanking Heather in advance, who disappeared to make drinks.
"You don't have to be careful what you say in front of Heather. She already knows everything."
"Really?"
"Yeah. She spotted my tattoo and put two and two together, after finding out I was pregnant. Besides, just look at him, it's clear who his father is."
Valka looked at him again, then back to her daughter.
"He's... alright, isn't he?"
"Huh? Oh. Yeah. I had tests done when I was pregnant. Heather nudged me toward it, but it was a good idea. Told myself if there was any serious issues, I wouldn't put them through that. But he's completely healthy, hitting all his milestones."
"Good... that's good."
They were quiet again until Heather came back, placing steaming mugs down for all of them.
"Want me to put him in his crib?"
"Nah. I like when he sleeps like this."
Conversation remained slightly awkward; Astrid didn't really seem to know what to say to her, and Valka had so many questions none seemed like the right one to ask first. Heather's phone started ringing, and she excused herself before the noise could wake Henry. Aside from a little snuffling, he didn't stir.
"You've obviously taken good care of him. He adores you."
Astrid's face did not say she agreed much.
"I do my best. Never feels like enough."
"All parents feel that way. Children are hard work, and nobody really knows what they're doing."
Still frowning, Astrid gently brushed Henry's hair off his face, but said nothing.
"Hey, Astrid?"
"Yeah?"
She looked behind her to where Heather was hovering in the doorway, mobile phone in hand.
"Cami wants to know what time I'll be home."
"You don't have to stay. Go now if you want."
Heather gave a short nod and left to continue her conversation.
"Do you need to leave soon so your husband doesn't get suspcious?"
Valka probably did, now Astrid mentioned it, but she wasn't sure she could bear to leave.
"He's still your father."
"No. He's not. And if you say 'oh, he didn't mean it', I'm going to ask why you have to keep it a secret that you speak to your own children."
Valka shut up. Astrid was much too right; their family had all but completely fallen apart. Her sons, while undoubtedly still together, were lonely and miserable. She barely spoke to her husband, the man she'd been married to for two decades. Astrid was raising her son alone, and there was a deep, deep sadness in her eyes that made it tough to look at her sometimes.
"I should be going. I don't really think you want me here anyway, but thank you for letting me meet Henry."
She hesitated, hoping Astrid would say something but her daughter only remained stony and silent.
"Could I... could I take a picture of him?"
"Why?"
"I don't know if I'll get a chance to see him again" Astrid was so visibly uncomfortable with her there, it seemed a realistic possibility "I'd like to have something to look at."
Astrid considered it.
"Fine, but it had better only be for you."
Valka heard the unspoken threat loud and clear - she wasn't to share the picture with Hiccup and Eret. Rather than be in the picture, she carefully moved Henry from her lap to the sofa, which he slept right through. She stood, grabbing her cooled coffee and downing it quickly while Valka took a picture of her sweet, slumbering grandchild. He started to stir, eyes fluttering open and so she took another, placing her phone away. His little face scrunched up in confusion, eyes seeking Astrid before he relaxed a bit. Astrid seemed to know and turned back, smiling lovingly at him.
"Hi baby boy. Nice nap?"
Wriggling out of his blanket, he tugged at Astrid's shirt in a rather obvious way.
"Ok, ok, you're hungry huh? Should we say bye to Heather first?"
"Hewer?"
He gave Heather a hug goodbye, and Astrid insisted to her friend that she was fine to be on her own, which sounded like a conversation they'd definitely had before.
"I'll walk you out."
Heather offered as she saw Valka preparing to leave, stealing last looks at her daughter and her grandson before reluctantly following Heather out of the flat.
"I'm sorry we've never met before. You seem like a very nice girl."
Seeming surprised, Heather smiled.
"Thank you..." Heather glanced at the flat and then back to Valka "she's glad you came. Even if she doesn't act like it."
Valka wasn't sure she agreed. Though Heather probably knew Astrid better by that point, so maybe she was right...
"Is she coping?"
"As well as any single mother, I expect."
Heather helpfully directed Valka back the way they'd walked from the park when they reached where her car was waiting, and Valka supposed she couldn't put off going home any longer.
"Hey" she looked to Heather, who was standing with her car door already open "are you going to tell Hiccup and Eret about this?"
"Astrid told me not to."
"I know. But I imagine your husband told you not to see her anymore, and you still came running after a drunken phone call."
Chewing her lip in thought, Valka's shoulders slumped in defeat.
"What do you think I should do?"
"It's not up to me. I do think Astrid would be absolutely livid with you if you did tell them where she is though."
As Heather slipped into her car, Valka mused on how despite her words, Heather didn't actually tell her not to tell the twins. It seemed more like she was giving Valka a difficult choice to make. Lie to her sons, or lose Astrid (and little Henry) all over again?
-HTTYD-
Oooft, this chapter got looong. Was a full three author effort, and at various points I imagine none of us knew what was going on anymore because we're all in different time zones.
But it's done! Enjoy!