Chapter 80: There's Something In Everybody Worth Saving
(Eret's POV)
It's been two weeks since Becky's suicide attempt. She's since returned home, with promises to Jane, Gothi's new assistant, that she'll go to talk about once a week why she tried to kill herself.
Becky and I are walking through the plaza of New Berk with Ruby, Dustin and Eira when our chief and chieftess approach us with their own children.
"Hey, guys."
"Good morning, chief. Chieftess." I tell them.
"Becky, do you think I could talk to you for a minute?" Hiccup asks.
"Of course."
Kissing my wife on her cheek, Becky follows Hiccup over to his little corner in the forge while Astrid and I get to talking and our kids play with each other.
(Becky's POV)
"So, Hiccup. What exactly did you want to talk to me about?"
"Why'd you do it?"
I suppress the urge to roll my eyes. A lot of people have asked me this question over the past two weeks: Jane, Eret, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, my parents, even Snotlout asked me. You'd think at least one of them would pass the information along about why I tried to kill myself. But, for once, they've kept their mouths shut when I don't want them to.
"Because of the memories of what I went through with Drago…"
"Becky, I'm not trying to downplay what you went through, but that was years ago."
"I know that, Hiccup. But that doesn't mean the effects of what I went through have lessened."
"I know that. Don't you think I still mourn my dad?"
"Of course I do. Don't you think I still mourn the son I lost because of Drago?"
"You know I do. But that's still no excuse."
"Excuse for what?"
"For trying to kill yourself."
I gasp, and Eret turns his head at my gasp. I ignore him.
"Do you realize how insensitive you're sounding?"
"You're one to talk, considering you would have left your family and friends behind, mourning you for the rest of their lives!"
"Don't you think I know that my family and friends would be devastated if I succeeded?"
"Then why'd you do it if you knew that fact?"
"Because I felt alone! I felt alone, Hiccup. No one went through what I went through with Drago! Yes, Drago was the cause of you and I losing someone we love, but that doesn't mean he hurt you the way he hurt me!"
"I'm not saying he didn't! I'm just saying you were extremely selfish trying to kill yourself."
I collapse onto my knees, an anxiety attack forming.
"My love!" Eret is at my side immediately.
"Baby, breathe. You've got to breathe."
I all but throw myself into my husband's arms and I begin to sob.
"Shhh. I'm here, love. I'm right here."
"Eret, she's making a scene." Hiccup says.
"Do you really think I care about that, Hiccup? Because I don't. She has severe depression, PTSD and anxiety, and all I can do is help her and listen to her when she needs someone to hear her out."
"You really think she's worth saving? This isn't the first time she's attempted suicide, and I can guarantee it won't be the last!"
"I can't believe you just said that about her, Hiccup. Isn't it you that once said that there's something in everybody worth saving? Why is Becky any different?"
"Because she's not worth saving, Eret."
"Hiccup!" Astrid scolds her husband as she walks over to us.
"What? I'm just telling him the truth he needs to hear."
"You're telling him a lie, Hiccup. I can't believe you told Eret such a lie about his own wife, about their kids' own mother! I've known you for as long as I can remember, and I've never known you to lash out like this."
"I've changed, Astrid."
"Yeah, you have. But it's not a change I want to see. Kids! Let's go home."
"Astrid, I am so sorry, and I know my wife is sorry as well."
"Eret, don't blame yourself, or your wife. Hiccup did this all on his own. It's nothing you or Becky did."
"Thank you, Astrid."
"You're welcome."
I stand up with my wife in my arms, and beckon our kids and we go home.
Hiccup's wrong – my wife is worth saving, no matter what he or anyone else says about her.
And I'll spend the rest of my life proving it to her.
