Chapter 51: Another Tragedy

Continuation of the last chapter.

(Becky's POV)

"We didn't even know she was pregnant." I say.

"She didn't want to tell you guys, until she was further along. But, now…She couldn't keep it from me, because of us being twins and us still living together with Mom and Dad…Becky…she's…she's really having a hard time accepting the fact that she and Fishlegs are losing their baby…and she needs you."

"Eret, will you be okay to stay here with Ruby?" I ask, getting up and helping my brother up.

"Of course, love."

"Thanks. Come on, Tuff. Let's go see our sister."

Tuffnut and I walk to Gothi's hut and I pause before heading in.

"Sis, it's okay if you can't do this."

"She needs me, Tuffnut. I can't not do this."

I move to go in, and I see Tuffnut isn't following me.

"Tuff?"

"You go on ahead. She doesn't need me right now."

"Of course she needs you, Tuffnut. Ruffnut needs her brother just as much as she needs her sister."

"I just…I just hate seeing her in so much pain."

"I do, too, Tuffnut. But the both of us need to be there for her and Fishlegs. Okay?"

"Okay."

I help my brother up and we head into Gothi's hut.

When we walk in, my poor sister Ruffnut is sobbing, her back to me and Tuff.

I've never seen her like this before, but I know she needs me. I kneel in front of my sister.

"Hey, Ruff. It's Becky."

Ruffnut turns around and she practically throws herself at me, sobbing.

I hold her close, knowing how much this hurts.

My poor, dear sister is practically hyperventilating through her sobs.

"It's going to be okay, sweetheart. It's going to be okay."

"I…I…"

"Just let it out, Ruff. I'm here. I'll always be right here."

And so she does.

Her sobs don't diminish for I'm guessing at least an hour, but no one is counting the minutes or looking out the window to check the time.

When her sobs do quiet, Ruffnut leans against me, emotionally and physically exhausted.

"It hurts…it really hurts…"

"I know it does, Ruffnut. I'm right here with you. You just breathe."

"I can't…I can't lose this baby."

"Ruffnut…if I may…how far along are you?"

"24 weeks."

I close my eyes, tears slipping down my cheeks. I was born at 24 weeks, and to have my sister deliver at 24 weeks…it's breaking my heart.

"Oh, Ruffnut. I'm so sorry."

"I…I was feeling contractions at dinner…only Tuffnut and Fishlegs knew about…about the baby. I couldn't tell you or Eret or Mom or Dad because…because I was afraid how you guys would react. I felt you'd both be ashamed of me."

"Ruffnut, I could never be ashamed of you. And neither could Eret, or Mom and Dad. We love you, no matter what."

"Thank you. I…love you guys, too."

A moan escapes Ruffnut's lips as the next contraction hits her.

And then her water breaks, a mixture of fluid and blood.

That's when we all know that Ruffnut and Fishlegs are really losing their baby; their baby probably won't even have a chance to fight.

The hours go by slowly, and there's little we can do to comfort Ruffnut.

Mom comes by, probably wondering what's going on.

"Mama, I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the baby." Ruffnut says in between contractions.

"Oh, my Ruffnut. There's nothing to apologize for."

We're interrupted by Hiccup coming in, followed by Astrid.

"Hey, Ruff."

"Oh, gods. Does everyone on New Berk know?" Ruffnut asks.

"Word travels fast, Ruffnut." Hiccup says.

"Oh, gods."

"If there's anything we can do, Ruffnut, let us know." Astrid says.

"I want everyone out…except my sister and Gothi. Poor Fishlegs, I don't want him to see me like this."

"Ruffnut, he's the only one of us who can translate Gothi's writing." I reply.

"Didn't Eret learn?"

That's when I remember: Eret had learned from Gothi how to translate her writing.

"You're right, Ruffnut. Someone go get my husband. And hurry." I say.

"On it. Ruff, hang in there, sis. I'll be right back." Tuffnut says.

A moan is Ruffnut's only response.

(Tuffnut's POV)

I run as fast as my legs can carry me back to Eret, Becky and Ruby's house.

I knock on the door.

"I'm coming."

Eret opens the door with Ruby in his arms.

"Tuffnut, is everything alright?"

"We need you to translate Gothi's writings. Ruff doesn't want Fishlegs there."

"I'll drop Ruby off with my sister and Dad. Ruff might need you and her Dad."

"Good point. Come on."

After dropping Ruby off with Eret, Sr. and Amalie, Eret and I head back to Gothi's hut.

"Tuff?" My twin says weakly and in tears.

"I'm here, sis. What do you need?" I ask, brushing back a piece of Ruffnut's hair.

"Stay. Please. I can't do this without you."

"I can do that, sis. Just keep breathing."

"Mom?" Ruff asks.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Get Fishlegs out of here. Keep him calm."

"I can do that, sweetie. You let your sister, Gothi, brother and brother-in-law help you, okay?"

Ruffnut nods weakly as she leans on Becky.

As soon as Mom and Fishlegs are out the door, a moan escapes Ruffnut.

It's breaking my heart seeing my twin in so much pain.

(Becky's POV)

"I can't do this…"

"Yes, you can, Ruffnut. You can do this."

Eret looks at me with concern, knowing that seeing my sister like this…it may trigger me back to my days with Drago. Because I wasn't Drago's only wench.

There was another girl, Erica, who was Drago's first and other wench. She was further along in her pregnancy when Eret and I got separated for ten months.

I, being the only other woman on board Drago's ship, was tasked to help Erica through labor and delivery…she also delivered at 24 weeks, like Ruffnut is. I was 12 weeks pregnant when Erica went into labor.

It was a hard labor, both physically and emotionally, since this was Erica's first child.

Neither she nor her baby girl made it.

I've suppressed that memory until now…when it's come back full force.

I've lost someone who delivered at 24 weeks, and I can't and won't lose anyone else who delivers then or earlier, or even later.

I'm brought back to the present by Ruffnut's groaning.

Her breathing has become shallow.

"Deep breaths, Ruff. We're here for you." Eret says, taking one of Ruffnut's hands.

Ruffnut turns her head to look at me, as I'm behind her, with pleading eyes. I nod, knowing exactly who she needs. I gently pass her over to Eret; he's had experience comforting someone going through a rough labor. Me.

"That's it. That's it, Ruffnut. You just keep breathing."

"E-Eret…I can't do this."

"Yes, you can. If anyone besides my wife can do this, it's you."

"Are you sure?"

"As sure as you're the best aunt to Ruby. Don't tell Amalie I said that."

"No promises."

Another hour passes, and labor progresses swiftly, and soon, it's time. Ruffnut wants Eret to deliver.

"I've never been on this end before, but I can give it a go."

"Thank you, Eret."

"You're welcome, Ruffnut. Are you ready?"

"I…I think so. Sis?"

"I'm here, Ruffnut. Just listen to your body's instincts. You can do this."

"Okay. I – I'm ready, Eret."

"Push whenever you feel the urge, Ruff." Eret says, rubbing his thumb across Ruffnut's knee to bring her some comfort.

Ruffnut leans into me and pushes.

"That's it. That's it. Good girl." Eret tells her.

Ruffnut bites her lip to keep from crying out.

"Shhh. Conserve your strength. Keep going." Eret soothes.

Ruffnut pushes again, and the head begins to crown.

"It's burning."

"That's natural, Ruffnut. You're okay." I whisper to her.

Soon, the baby is born.

Eret places the baby in Ruffnut's arms.

"…It…it was a girl." Ruffnut says, collapsing against me.

"She's losing too much blood. All of you, go." We hear Gothi say.

"Becky?" Ruffnut's looking paler by the minute.

"I'll be just outside, Ruffnut. Just let Gothi do her job." Gothi quickly ushers me, Tuffnut and Eret outside. She shuts the door behind us.

It's then I hear Tuffnut scream in anguish. I break down then and there, right on Gothi's front porch.

I feel someone's arms wrap around me.

"She's gonna be okay, love. She'll be alright."

"Are…are you talking about my sister or the baby?"

"At this point, love…"

I get up and look Eret straight in his eyes.

"Don't you dare say Ruffnut didn't want this baby. Because she sure as Hel did, and still does!"

"My love, I wasn't going to say that. All I was going to say was that that baby doesn't even get a chance to fight…not like you."

"Me…you're blaming me for surviving at 24 weeks?"

"No, of course not, darling."

"It sure sounds like you are."

"I'm not. I understand you're upset."

"No, you don't…you don't get to understand what she's going through…what my sister is going through, what I went through, what Erica went through!"

I turn to face away from Eret.

"Excuse me. I need to go."

"Where are you going? Your sister needs you. And so does your brother!"

"I just…I need to forget about tonight."

"You need to forget about tonight? Think about Ruffnut and Fishlegs, and what they're going through! It's not your loss primarily, you know. It's Ruffnut's and Fishlegs' loss primarily."

I throw my hands up in disgust, tears falling down my cheeks. And I walk away to the Great Hall.

To get drunk for the first time in my life.

~.~

I sit at one of the tables farthest away from everyone, so no one sees me or recognizes me.

No one comes up to me, thankfully, after getting my third drink…or is it my fifth?

I've lost count, but I don't care. All I care about is forgetting what took place tonight. Forgetting what took place all those years ago, with Erica.

Forgetting everything that took place with Drago.

I black out, face down in a pile of mead.

No one takes notice.

~.~

"Oh, gods."

I look up.

"S-Stoick? What…what's going on?"

"Unless you wake up and get your act together, young lady, you're going to die choking on your own vomit."

"Get my act…? What?"

"You drank…for the first time in your life. And you took it too far. Unfortunately, no one is taking notice of you. Why did you do this?"

"To forget about everything. Forget about what occurred with Ruffnut, Erica and Drago."

"He put you through absolute Hel, Drago did."

"He really did."

"But that's no excuse to get drunk when your sister needs you."

"Who, besides you, cares?"

"My son, for one thing. Look behind you."

I look behind me. Hiccup is shaking me, trying to get me to wake up. But it's not working.

"Oh, gods, Becky. What did you do?" Hiccup asks.

I turn back to Stoick.

"Go back. Live on."

"But…"

"No 'but's. Go."

I bolt up, nearly knocking my head into Hiccup's. It's then I puke.

I begin to hyperventilate.

"Shhhh. You're okay. You're okay. It's going to be okay. Astrid, go get Eret. Hurry."

"I'm on it."

(Hiccup's POV)

I begin to rub Becky's back to try and help her get her breath back.

She begins to sob into my shoulder.

"Shhh. You're okay. It's okay. Just breathe. Just breathe."

(Astrid's POV)

I run as fast as I can to where Eret is.

"Eret!"

"Astrid? What's going on?"

"It's Becky. She needs you. Now."

"Lead the way."

I lead Eret back to the Great Hall.

"What the Hel is going on?" Eret asks. He then sees his wife in tears, and his expression immediately softens.

"Oh, love. What did you do?" Eret asks, kneeling in front of Becky, careful to avoid the mess.

"I'm sorry, Eret. I messed up. Big time."

Eret looks at the table behind his wife, and he puts the pieces together.

"You…you drank…you got drunk…"

"I…I saw Stoick."

"Oh, my gods…and you were on the verge of dying…we were this close to losing you?" Eret asks, tears forming in his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I just got so overwhelmed, and I didn't know what else to do to forget."

"Honey, you will never forget what you've gone through, no matter how drunk you get. But you can move on from it."

"Ruffnut?"

"She's going to be alright. Tuffnut's with her now. You can visit her later."

"Am…am I in trouble? Are…are you going to – to punish me?"

Eret's expression softens once again.

"Did Drago ever punish you by…by hurting you?"

Becky nods.

"Oh, love. I will never lay a hand on you, not like he did."

Becky collapses in her husband's arms, sobbing.

"I'm sorry…sorry. I was being so selfish…Ruffnut's got enough to deal with…she doesn't need to lose her sister, too."

"Shhh. Shhh. We'll get through this, darling. I promise."

(Eret's POV)

After a few days have passed, and after Becky has recovered from her massive hangover, we go and visit Ruffnut at her home.

"I'm so sorry for being so selfish and abandoning you, Ruffnut." Becky says, hugging her sister.

"I forgive you."

"Thank you. How are you?"

"Honestly, not great. Gothi said if I have any more children, it'll be a miracle."

"The – the damage is that bad?" I wrap an arm around my wife, hearing the shakiness in her voice.

"Unfortunately so."

From that day on, Becky promises to never drink again.

And she keeps her promise.