Chapter 19: Big Sister Ruby

The day has finally arrived where Eret and Becky's second child is born!

Again, this is in Ruby's point of view.

"Hey…kid…Ruby. Wake up." I hear someone whisper. I sleepily open my eyes.

"Uncle Tuffnut? What's going on?"

"Time for you to spend some time with your uncles. Mom's having the baby."

"Right now?"

"Right now. She doesn't want you to be here in case you get scared."

"Okay." My uncle and I head downstairs and Mom is leaning on Dad and Aunt Ruffnut and Grandpa Loki are kneeling in front of Mom. Uncle Tuffnut was right…I am a bit scared.

"Come on, kiddo." I let Uncle Tuffnut lead me out of the house where Uncle Snotlout and Uncle Fishlegs are waiting.

"Uncle Tuffnut?"

"What's up, kiddo?"

"I'm scared. My mom's gonna be okay, right?"

"Of course she'll be okay, Ruby. She's got the strength of a goddess."

"And, besides, after all the shi – stuff she's gone through, this'll be easy for her." Uncle Snotlout says.

"Well, technically, it'll still be painful for her, even if this is her third child. Every pregnancy and labor is different, and the chances of something going wrong…"

"Uncle Fishlegs, you're scaring our niece." Uncle Tuffnut says.

"Oh, right. Sorry. Ruby, your mom'll be just fine. She's got your dad and Aunt Ruffnut and your grandma in there with her. She's in good hands." Uncle Fishlegs says.

It's then a scream comes from the house. My mom's scream.

I back myself up further into my Uncle Tuffnut.

"Shhh. It'll be okay, kiddo. She'll be okay."

"Okay, why don't we go see Uncle Gobber for a while? See what he's up to." Uncle Snotlout suggests.

Why do they treat me like a little kid? I'm 14.

But, to be honest, I am still scared.

A few hours pass as my uncles and I go to the Great Hall and read.

Soon, Aunt Ruffnut comes into the Great Hall, all smiles.

"So this is where I find you guys. I've been looking all over for you! Ruby, come on. There's someone you should meet."

I get up and follow my aunt. Four of my uncles follow (excluding Uncle Chief Hiccup, who's at home) us.

My aunt leads us back to my house and I'm a bit nervous.

"Ruby, it's okay. No need to be nervous." I shakily nod and follow her in, and, though it's a bit childish, I take my aunt's hand.

"Hey, you. Come meet your baby brother and baby sister."

"Twins?" I cautiously approach my parents, grandfather and new siblings.

"Yeah. Your sister was a complete surprise. Born just a few minutes after your brother."

"We've thought up the perfect name for your brother, but we need help naming your sister." Dad says.

"What's my brother's name?"

"Dustin Kensley Nordisk." Mom says, looking at who I assume is my baby brother.

"Is that him?" I ask. Mom nods.

"That seems like a perfect name for him." I say, looking at my baby brother.

"Now for the name for your little sister. Any ideas, Rubes?" Dad says, holding my baby sister in his arms.

"I like the name Eira. Eira…Shelby."

Mom and Dad look at each other, and then back at me, then at my baby sister.

"Eira Shelby is the perfect name for her."

"Ruby, would you like to hold one of them?"

I nod.

"Come here." I sit next to my mom on the couch.

"Mind his head now." Mom says, carefully placing Dustin in my arms. I'd held Zephyr and Nuffink when they were barely older than this, so I've had practice.

"He's so tiny."

Mom and Dad exchange a look.

"Yeah, he is tiny, isn't he?" Mom asks.

"Yeah."

Mom gently takes Dustin back from me as Dad places Eira gently in my arms.

"I've got him, sis. Let's get you upstairs so you can sleep." Aunt Ruffnut says, taking Dustin from Mom.

Mom nods and Uncle Tuffnut gently takes her in his arms and carries her upstairs to her and Dad's room.

"You getting tired, kiddo?" Dad asks me.

I nod as I place my baby sister back in his arms.

"Go try to get some sleep, sweetie. We'll still be here when you wake up. I promise."

"Okay. Love you, Dad."

"I love you, too, kiddo." I head upstairs, yawning and pass by my parents' room, where the door is open. I lean against the wall as I overhear their conversation.

"You did so well, sweetie. We are so proud of you."

"Thanks, bro. Thank you for watching Ruby…I lost so much blood, I'm glad she wasn't here."

"We were so afraid we'd lose you, Becky."

"I was more afraid of losing one or both of the twins." Mom says, her voice breaking.

"I know. I know. That's just how you are. Selfless." Uncle Tuffnut says, his voice also breaking.

"Tuffnut?"

"Whatcha need, sweetie?"

"I need my sister. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I'll go get her."

I head to my room with tears in my eyes and gently close the door. I hear footsteps up the stairs and into my parents' room. I can just hear my mom and Aunt Ruffnut's conversation. I know it's rude to eavesdrop, but I can't help it.

"You doing okay, sis?"

"I was so scared, Ruffnut. Scared I was going to lose one or both of the twins or my life…" Mom breaks down.

"Sis, it's going to be okay. You're okay, the twins are both okay, Ruby's okay, Eret's okay, Tuff and I are okay. We're all okay."

"I know…I just lost my strength then…when I was pushing Eira out."

"I prayed as hard as I could for you to be given the strength."

"Thank you, Ruffnut. I felt your prayers as you and Eret held onto me as I pushed."

Mom continues to sob.

"You're okay. You're okay. I'm here. I'm here."

"You guys almost lost me."

"I know we did. I know. But we didn't lose you and that's the important thing."

The thought of losing my mom…my Mama…I burst into tears at the thought. I don't hear the door opening and someone coming in.

"What's wrong, my little princess of Midgard?" Grandpa Loki. He begins to rub my back as I practically throw myself at him.

I can't talk. I'm crying too hard.

"What is it, my little princess?" He asks a few minutes later.

"Are we gonna lose my Mama?"

"Oh, Ruby, of course we're not gonna lose your Mama. She just…she lost a lot of blood during delivery. She just won't be able to have any more children. But she's okay."

"Everything okay in here?" Grandpa and I look up.

"Mama?"

"Sweetheart, you shouldn't be up."

"I know. I just heard my Ruby break down and I…I had to make sure she was okay."

"Go see your Mama, Ruby. It's okay."

I walk over to my Mama and she hugs me.

"It's okay, baby girl. Mama's here. I'm here."

"I can't lose you, Mama. I can't. It'll destroy me." Mom and Grandpa share a look.

"You won't lose me, Ruby. Not for a long time, okay?" I nod against my Mama.

"Let's get you to bed, alright, little princess?" Grandpa asks me. I nod.

"I'll tuck her in, sweetheart. You go back to bed." My Mama nods and Uncle Tuffnut helps her back to her and Dad's room.

Grandpa tucks me into bed like I'm 4 again and stays by my side, singing to me as I fall to sleep.