Chapter 5: Breaking Point

All right, enough Becky-centric one-shots. Eret deserves one, don't you think? This is a BeckyxEret-centric fanfic, after all. So, here is his one-shot. And I teared up just writing this, so you may need tissues. Eir is the Norse goddess of healing. And the song is to the tune of "Hush, Little Baby". Also, Lilo and Stitch reference at the end! Also, it's a bit sappy...I've probably been watching too many Hallmark movies.

After HTTYD2

(Becky's POV)

It's a quiet night on Berk, just a few weeks after Eret's and my wedding. Bucket had done an amazing job with our wedding portraits, and they're all scattered across our house.

Eret's 26th birthday is coming up in a few days, and I came up with the perfect gift for him: a portrait of him and his mother, dressed in wedding attire, as if she was there with us. I have some art skills, and I wanted to do it myself, so Amalie and Eret, Sr. described her to me, since I've only seen her once, and I have the portrait tucked away somewhere safe.

Eret and I are reading, as usual.

"I'll be right back. I have to get something from upstairs."

"I'll miss you, my love." Eret tells me, momentarily looking up from his book to smile at me.

"I'll miss you more." I tell him as I saunter upstairs. I go into our bedroom to my bedside table, rifling through it.

"Everything all right, darling?"

"Everything's fine, Eret!" I call back to him. I finally find Eret's present, rolled up with a bow. I grab it carefully and head back downstairs.

"I was starting to worry." Eret tells me. I smile at him.

"What are you up to?" He asks me.

"I know your birthday isn't for a few days, but I just couldn't wait any longer. Happy Almost Birthday, Eret." I hand him the rolled up portrait.

"Well, thank you, my Becky." I bite my lip as he unfurls it. I hear him gasp, and he puts a hand to his mouth, and tears start to form in his eyes.

"Did…did you…?" Eret starts, his voice shaking.

"Yes. Your father and sister described her to me. I…I hope you like it. And I hope it honors her memory."

"It's…it's beautiful…i-it looks just like her." Eret suddenly breaks down, covering his face with his right hand, falling out of the chair onto his knees. I rush to him, gently taking the portrait out of his left hand, and putting it on the table. I cradle Eret in my arms, like he's done for me time and time again.

We stay in silence for the next several minutes as I just hold him as he cries. I start crying as well; it's breaking my heart that Eret has to go through this, but all I can do is hold him and help him the best I can.

"It hurts…it hurts so much…Mum…Mummy…I need you." That's the only thing said for the next few minutes.

"Odin, please be with Eret and watch over him. Eir, please heal him and his heart. I know that you are the goddess of physical healing, but please heal my Eret's broken heart." After the prayer, I continue to hold Eret.

"I…I should've been there. I should've been there with her when she died. But…but I…I never would have met you, Becky." Eret breaks down again, conflicted between two of the most important women in his life.

"I'm so sorry, Eret. I'm so so sorry."

We sit in silence again and I have no idea what I can do to help him…I feel so helpless. He's suffering – my Eret is suffering and I have no idea what to do.

"I miss her…I miss her so much. I wish…I wish she were here with us…really here with us."

I kiss the top of Eret's head, stroking his hair; he lays his head on my shoulder. Fresh tears roll down his cheeks as I hold him.

"I…I hate that you have to see me like this, Becky." Eret tells me.

"Oh, Eret. Baby, I'm in it for the long run. For better or for worse, in good times and bad, my sweetheart. That will never, ever change, for as long as we both shall live."

The silence hits again, with the only sound being Eret's sobs.

About ten to fifteen minutes pass before I start to sing to Eret, hoping that will bring him some comfort.

Oh, my Eret

You can cry

I will still love you for all time

I hope you like this next line

I am yours and you are mine

Don't fret, my sweetheart

I'm right here

I will wipe away every tear

No matter what things you go through

Know I'll always be there for you

You're there for me

Now's my time to be

There for you for eternity

I hold my Eret close to me, like he's done for me time and time again.

"I'm here, Eret. I'm right here."

"Don't leave me. Please don't leave me. Please…"

"I'm not going to leave you, Eret. I promise. I will always be right here with you. I'm here for you, and I love you so so much."

Eret leans on me, his nose stuffy, his eyes puffy, with a few stray tears trailing down his cheeks.

"I love you, too. And I've realized something…no one and nothing can and will ever ever make me leave you, and no one and nothing will ever come between us again. No matter how many times we fight, I will always always love you, and I will never leave you, no matter what. We're there for each other, we fight for each other, we cry with each other, we love each other, and we do so much more together. And I know my Mum would say the same, regarding her and my Dad, and regarding us."

He pauses.

"You remember when you asked me what I'd be doing if I wasn't working for…for you-know-who?"

I nod.

"It's true that I would've been taking care of my family. Little did I know that I'd be taking care of my family right now, however small or broken our family may be. Our family is still good. Small and broken, but still good. Still amazing. And I am forever grateful that I am with you, Becky. My love, my life, my wife. Thank you for saving me. For being there for me. For making me realize that my Mum will always be with me, even when I can't see her."

We lean on each other, our silence speaking volumes. Forever grateful that we have each other.

Ruby Nordisk looks on, proud of her son and daughter-in-law and how far they've come in such a short time, and knowing that their love can and will overcome any obstacle, hardship, and bump in the road, no matter how small or big they may be.