Right after speaking to his parents, he went to see the Hofferson's to talk to them about asking for Astrid's hand in marriage. Hiccup had never been surer of anything, he loved Astrid, and he wanted her as his wife and Emma's adoptive mother. All he had to do was ask her parents and get their blessing, and then he could work on the engagement gift for her and propose. Which he still needed to plan how that would go, publically before the village or when they were alone and surprise everyone the next day, he also needed to decide what gift to get her. Or rather now as the idea struck him, he didn't need to buy one when he could make one due to his forge skills, and he had a few things put away just for this occasion.
Reaching the Hofferson residence, he checked to make sure Astrid wasn't there. Last he knew, she was with Hilda and Emma playing until he went to find them and fulfill his promise to spend time with Astrid when he finished up his business. Hiccup knocked on their door and waited for an answer from them. Colby, Astrid's father, opened the door and saw Hiccup there.
"Hiccup, happy to see you lad. What brings you over to our home? Astrid is with your sister and daughter right now," Colby informed smiling.
"I know, I came to talk to you and your wife if that's okay. I promise it won't take long?" Hiccup said quickly; he didn't want Astrid to see him there which is why he left Toothless at the nest this morning.
"Of course, come right in," Alva said as she came beside her husband now, Colby moved aside as Hiccup walked in with a smile and Colby closed the door. "Have a seat," she invited motioning to the table in the central area. Hiccup sat down and then the Hofferson parents did the same across from him.
"Are you here for Stoick?" Colby asked him.
Hiccup shook his head, "No. Well, yes and no. It's something that would involve you, them, Astrid and myself," Hiccup finally said as calmly as he could manage. It was a little nerve-wracking, he didn't have to do this with Selby since back then, neither of them had parents to go through, and Reynir hadn't minded them getting married at all even though they were sixteen at the time.
"Alright, what's going on then?" Alva inquired.
"I love your daughter with my everything, and I can't imagine my life without her in it. She makes me happier than I've ever been and Gods if she isn't amazing with my daughter who has called her 'Mommy' plenty of times. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for her happiness and safety. I came to ask for your blessing and permission in asking for her hand in marriage," Hiccup finally said in a serious tone.
"Oh, you want to marry my little girl do you?" Colby expressed in a firm tone as Hiccup tensed a little in fear they'd say no but he still nodded to them. Colby and Alva smiled wide, "Well, it's about time boy!" the Hofferson father laughed as Hiccup's eyes widened.
"Come now, Hiccup. Did you actually believe we would say no? We know how much you love Astrid and we would never deny you or Astrid the happiness of marriage. You have our permission and blessing, as long as you make the proposal in front of us. We'd like to see that moment," Alva placed her hand on Hiccup's shoulder.
"I will do that for you. I still have the engagement gift to get, so it'll be a few days yet, but you will know when it's coming," Hiccup assured them with a smile, they nodded and shook hands although, Alva hugged him. After that, Hiccup left the Hofferson residence while trying to contain his excitement. He had to keep himself together while with Astrid or she would suspect something was up. Hiccup took a few deep breaths before making his way to where Hilda, Emma, and Astrid were and smiled upon reaching them.
"There you are," Astrid gleamed, "Did you just leave my parent's house?" Shit.
"Yeah, I did. It was something for Dad regarding that meeting this morning. It's all handled now and the rest of my day is devoted to you and my little girl," Hiccup smiled at his girlfriend, daughter, and little sister.
"Good, then I can get back to hanging with Gustav because he asked me to meet him on the beach for a picnic." Hilda giggled a little.
"He hurts you; I hurt him. Make that known," Hiccup warned as Hilda blushed a little. Gustav Larsen was two years younger than Hiccup, and his role model was Snotlout Jorgenson, that alone made Hiccup nervous about his sister having a crush on the young eighteen-year-old boy. Hilda was sixteen, but that didn't mean anything to Hiccup, he wouldn't let her get hurt over a mini Snotlout.
"Yes, almighty rider of a Night Fury and big brother of mine. I will make it know. See you later," Hilda hurried off before Hiccup could say anything, he mumbled something to himself about teenagers having crushes.
"She'll be fine, Hiccup. Hilda learned all her fighting skills from me ever since I saved her from a Deadly Nadder when she was eight, almost got carried off like you did and it's why Stoick and Valka kept her so sheltered until you came along," Astrid smiled and got up to hold his hand.
"Doesn't mean I can't worry about the only little sister I have," Hiccup sighed some but Astrid kissed him lightly, and he returned it.
"If Gustav is anything to Hilda like how Snotlout was to me for a while, don't worry so much. Hilda will put him in his place with a punch to the face or stomach." Astrid tried to relax him by massaging his shoulders. "Snotlout used to flirt with and hit on me all the time when we were fourteen or so. I don't think he stopped until I punched him in the gut and he gave up,"
"Exactly, I know how teenagers get. I got married at sixteen and had a child at seventeen. Of course, I'm going to worry about her," Hiccup muttered.
"Papa, can we go flying?" Emma asked happily.
"Up for a fly, babe?" Hiccup asked looking at Astrid, and of course, she smiled and nodded in response while mounting Stormfly. Hiccup whistled for Toothless, and he came bounding out towards them happily, Hiccup climbed on his back and then placed Emma in front of him securely before the two dragons with riders aboard took to the sky. Hiccup was beyond happy, soon he would be proposing to Astrid, and they would start their lives together, Emma too.
(Five Days Later)
It took a full week and a lot of keeping Astrid distracted, but Hiccup finally finished the engagement gift for her and would be proposing tonight at dinner in front of the entire village. Distracting her had been a chore and a half, thankfully and as promised, Hiccup told Emma what he was going to do so she helped out a lot too. Stoick, Valka, Alva, and Colby were making sure things would be perfect for tonight; Hiccup didn't want anything going wrong. Hiccup was working in his personal forge in the nest, overlooking his final work on the piece. A gold bracelet with a charm representing her dragon, a Deadly Nadder, also one to represent Berk and the Hairy Hooligan Tribe.
Honestly, he still had no idea how he was going to do this. He had the gift, permission, and blessing but no clue what to say to Astrid. It wasn't often he was left speechless and not knowing what to say. Hiccup would have to wing it and pray to Odin for the best outcome which was Astrid saying yes to him. If she didn't, Hiccup had fully considered taking Emma and just leaving Berk for a while. Sure it seemed unfair but after all, this to get where he was now and have it crash before him would really hurt, and it wouldn't be something he could just recover from while on Berk. Hiccup looked at Toothless now, and his draconic friend offered a smile of comfort and encouragement.
"Speak from the heart," Toothless reminded.
"I know bud, I know. Just nervous," Hiccup replied while tucking the gift under the chest plate of his armor. "Well, let's get going." he took in a deep breath before mounting Toothless, and they took to the air, flew out of the nest and then towards the hall where everyone was gathering.
(Great Hall)
Entering the Great Hall, Hiccup looked around until he spotted Astrid who was sitting with her friends, Hilda, and Emma. The Hofferson parents weren't far from her, and of course, his parents were sitting at that table too and right nest to each other. Hiccup hadn't told them he was doing it tonight, but he assumed they'd figure it out by his actions. Hiccup felt Toothless push him with his snout as Hiccup glared at him and Toothless chuckled a little. Hiccup moved past the table where his parents and Astrid's parents sat; he shot them one look that said he was doing it tonight and they became excited and looked more closely. Nobody else besides those four and Emma knew about the proposal that was taking place in just moments. This was it, finally time to ask her in front of everyone.
Hiccup walked next to Astrid as she looked up at him smiling, "There you are," she giggled a little.
"Sorry that I'm a bit late, Milady. Did you save me a seat?" Hiccup joked with her.
"Don't I always? Come on, sit down so we can eat." Astrid invited.
"What? No greeting hug or a kiss first?" Hiccup asked as she blushed a little and gave him a nod before standing up in front of him. The room was quieter and probably because his mother or father had made them so they could hear this. Hiccup moved his hand to hers and held it within his as he stared into her blue eyes. "You know, as much as I tell you I love you, Astrid, I feel like I don't show it enough."
"Don't be stupid, Hiccup. You show me you love me every day with a hug and kiss, or us cuddling close when I sleep over," Astrid replied to him.
"But it's not enough, babe. You are amazing in so many ways. There is a reason you haven't seen me all day, and it's because I was trying to think of a way to prove to you how much I love you, and I think I have one. I'd like try it out now if that's okay with you?" Hiccup told her.
"Hiccup, you have nothing to prove about how much you love me. However, I know you're stubborn and will keep insisting so go ahead." Astrid smiled happily. Hiccup stepped back once as he reached under his chest armor but didn't pull out the gift yet.
"Astrid. You're smart, beautiful, strong, excellent fighter, dragon trainer, and rider. You are always here for me, and Emma, you care for her as if she were your child and I can't even begin to tell you how much your smiles makes my entire day. I want to ensure you know that I always want to be on your side by giving you this," he paused pulling it out now as her eyes widened a little, "and asking if you'll marry me?"
That did it. The entire room went silent after a group gasp. Emma was giggling and trying to hide it, Valka and Alva were trying not to cry while Stoick and Colby just smiled wide. Everyone else just stared in shock while waiting for Astrid's answer. "Hiccup, I-I..." she stammered to find her words.
"Say yes, and I promise you won't regret it. I love you, Astrid, with my everything. I want you to be my wife and my daughter's adoptive mother. Will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the whole of the Archipelago?" Hiccup asked again.
The tears formed in her eyes as her shocked face turned to a smile. "Yes. Yes, I will marry you, Hiccup!" Astrid blurted out as the tears finally fell from her eyes. Hiccup smiled as he unclipped the bracelet and set it on her left wrist and then clasped it in place. Hiccup snaked his arm around her waist, cupped her cheek before he leaned in close and kissed her deeply as the room burst into applause and cheering. Their kiss broke while smiling at one another, she laid her on his shoulder while Emma stood on the bench and jumped into their arms.
"Does this mean she'll be my Mommy now?" Emma asked looking up at them.
"It certainly does princess," Hiccup nodded to her as Astrid kissed her forehead.
"Oh, congratulations dear. We're so happy for you," Alva said as she came up to hug her daughter, Colby shook Hiccup's free hand and then Alva hugged Hiccup while Colby hugged Astrid. After them, it was Hiccup's parents hugging Astrid and Hiccup.
"The proposal was better than what I expected, well done, Hiccup." Colby chuckled with Stoick.
"Wait, you knew he was going to?" Astrid blinked.
"I did too!" Emma announced, "My job was to keep you busy while Daddy made the gift," she added proudly.
"Of course. Hiccup came to us last week to ask our permission and blessing to ask you for your hand in marriage. Since then, Hiccup has been working on that bracelet for you. As per traditions states, the man presents the female with an engagement gift." Alva informed her, "We told him he had both as long as he proposed so we could enjoy the moment too,"
"That was the meeting I was having with my parents the morning after I came back, and why you saw me leaving your parents house," Hiccup told her now and kissed her forehead.
"So we all wanna know when the wedding is!" Ruffnut laughed as did a few others while nodding in agreement.
"Most traditions stated that weddings took place on Frigga's day and held on the Island of Frig, which is South of us just after Meathead Isle, one to two months after the engagement," Valka informed smiling.
"Don't you worry about a thing, this is where we come in and take care of it all while keeping you up to date on it all," Stoick enlightened with a hand on Hiccup's shoulder.
"Sounds good to me," Astrid said with a broad smile as she and Hiccup shared another kiss.
"Excellent, now I think we have something to celebrate over dinner." Stoick laughed a little as everyone returned to their seats and began eating from the spread on their tables. This was a great night so far, everything went as he hoped it would and now all that was left was to get married and enjoy their lives together. The hour and a half ticked by before Emma started getting tired, she had a long day of keeping Astrid busy for her father to finish the gift.
"Should we go tuck in our daughter?" Hiccup offered to his fiance who blushed and nodded to him as they got up with Hiccup carrying Emma in his arms, the two of them got on Toothless who took them to the nest.
(Ice Nest)
Arriving at the nest, Astrid got off first and took Emma from Hiccup while he got down next. They walked inside and to Emma's room to lay her down on her bed, cover her up and both place a kiss on her cheek while bidding her a good night and sweet dreams to follow. After that, they both left her room to let Stingwhip and Windstrike inside before closing the door and then the two of them plopped on the couch in the main room together, snuggling up.
"Tonight has been amazing," Astrid sighed out contently with her head on his shoulder and his arm around her shoulders and their free hands connected together in front of them. "I love you, Hiccup,"
"I love you too, Astrid," Hiccup replied as she tilted her head up some and they kissed again, only it got deeper and more passionate. Hiccup felt her shift and grip the front of his tunic and pull him in for more, he adjusted his position and pulled her into his lap while deepening the kiss until they broke it to catch their breath.
"Can I show you how much I love you?" Astrid asked staring into his eyes.
"You made me a bracelet?" Hiccup chuckled a little and Astrid shook her head smiling. "What did you have in mind?" Astrid leaned in and kissed him again while her hands rested on his chest gently.
"The only gift I can give you is myself," Astrid whispered against his lips as his eyes widened.
"Wait, hang on. You mean to make love?" Hiccup questioned. Astrid nodded to him slowly, "I thought we couldn't do that because of traditions or whatever. Something about not sharing a bed until we're married and consummate the marriage?"
"The laws say we can't share a bed until we're married and we got around that by sleeping against our dragons in the same room. As for intimacy, the traditions are that unmarried women and men stay pure until they get married. We might not be married yet, but we know that we will be soon. I know who I want for the rest of my life, it's you, so I want to give you all of me." Astrid told him.
"Won't we get in trouble for doing this? My parents mentioned something about Heir legitimacy, and that's the whole reason for waiting until the marriage," Hiccup blinked.
"It would be breaking the rules if you didn't already have an Heir, Hiccup. You have Emma and were married once, legality matters were fulfilled. The whole purpose of the Heir getting married before his or Chiefdom begins is for the sake of producing an Heir, and you have one. You're the Heir of Berk being the oldest, you would take over before Hilda does and you have Emma, your daughter. It doesn't matter if I'm not pure for the wedding because Emma is the Heir when you become Chief of Berk, technically speaking that is. Your father will likely start your training when you turn twenty-one." Astrid explained calmly.
"Huh, I suppose that makes sense. But I'm sure our parents would like to keep to some traditions of us not making love until our wedding night in a month or two," Hiccup chuckled some.
"So..what if we just don't tell them? You and I can go sneak off to Dragon Island, make love, and when we come back, I will still be wearing the Kransen, and they don't know a thing. Night of the wedding, four witnesses stand outside our place and listen for the consummating anyway but only for the Heir of the Tribe. Ordinary villagers don't matter the same way, and like I said, you already have an Heir for when you become Chief." Astrid smiled seductively at him.
"Let me get this straight. You want us to sneak away with Toothless and Stormfly to Dragon Island for a romantic getaway to make love behind everyone's backs and then come back tomorrow and play it off that you're still pure until we make love the night of the wedding?" Hiccup asked her.
"It sounds even better when you say it," Astrid kissed him again. As much as he wanted to deny it, Astrid was totally right about everything. From what Hiccup learned from his father about some of the traditions they spoke about while Hiccup worked on the bracelet, normally the Heir and his or her partner would both be pure for the legitimacy of an Heir they produced for the island during the Heir's time as Chief or Chieftess. However, as Astrid put it, Hiccup already had an Heir and wife whom he had that child with. Emma was the Heir to Hiccup, that meant that he and Astrid could make love tonight and no one would know a thing nor would it matter because he did have an Heir and there was absolutely no mistaking Emma as someone else's daughter.
Finally, Hiccup smiled and kissed her deeply before breaking it. "Alright, let's do it." Astrid's eyes lit up as she climbed off of him and they whistled summoned their dragons to them. Astrid jumped on Stormfly while Hiccup got Windstrike to keep guard on the nest while he and Astrid were away for the night and promised to be back after sunrise. With an affirmative nod to her orders to guard and keep everyone out, Hiccup mounted Toothless, and the two of them took off out of the nest and heading West towards Dragon Island.
