=Astrid's POV=
{Friday, November 19, 2021-3:45 pm}
(Haddock Manor; Stoick's Office)
It had been the worst week of my entire life, and I only prayed that things turned around soon because I hated feeling this way. No matter how many people I surrounded myself with; I couldn't shake the lonely, empty feeling within my heart. My parents were dead, and nothing I did or said would change that. It will be a week since the deaths of Colden and Alva Hofferson in two days on Sunday the 21st. How unfair was it that on the 25th of November; it would be Thanksgiving, and the two people I was most thankful to have in my life are no longer in it? I've spent at least an hour every day looking over that last set of texts between my father and I; seeing them say how much they loved me. Gods, it just tore me up inside. As my house was no longer safe to reside in, as stated by the Fire Chief; I'm staying between Ragna, Camicazi, Nadia, and Eret's houses. It was between the three girls Monday through Sunday, but sometimes; I would stay at Eret's for the weekend. I was grateful to my friends and boyfriend for stepping up and offering me their places to wait until everything got sorted out. That would hopefully be remedied today now that the service and funeral were over.
It began with the day I left the hospital. Reaching the Haddock Manor, Stoick and I went to his office. My friends came too for support, but as Hiccup had vowed to do; he didn't stick around. He packed up some things for Runa, then left with Stormfly to go see Dagur and Heather in Berserker. I guess I couldn't blame him for still being upset with us, but honestly; it was the least of my concerns as I had more significant problems than Hiccup Haddock's grudge-holding capabilities. Stoick pulled out the file regarding my parents' funeral arrangements, and we went through everything they had wanted. I guess there hadn't been much for me to really do in all this; my parents took care of everything and paid for it all too. All I was required for was picking dates and times for both services, and being aware of how things would go. When it came to talking about the last will and testament bit; Stoick said that other items had to be handled before it would be valid to go over. What that mean to me was it had to be official my parents were dead and buried first.
I chose Wednesday for the wake and funeral; both to be held after school so my boyfriend and friends could come and not get bitched at by their parents for missing a day. The memorial was at 4 pm, and the funeral at 5 pm. Following that was the after-party at some banquet hall my parents had wanted; I think it was the place they were married. When that had ended around 8 pm; I went home with Camicazi due to being emotionally exhausted, but who could blame me? It had been a long day, and I've missed school the past three days. Thankfully, my friends were getting my work for me, and the teachers were being super cool about me turning it in with extended deadlines because of what I was going through. I would be back to school on Monday; I couldn't afford to miss much more, or I might be screwed for Midterms in January after Winter Break. Sure, my grades weren't stellar, but I still wanted to pass and graduate come June 2022.
A lot of people showed up for the memorial and funeral; I don't think I've ever shaken so many hands or received so many hugs in my entire life. All people who worked with or knew my parents, most of them, sadly, I didn't know. All my friends and boyfriend turned out with their families. The Haddock's and Jorgenson's came, so did the Ogglebert-Ingerman's. Pretty sure Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Heather, and Dagur came too. I guess the Bazirk father knew my parents also. More and more things I'm finding out that I probably should have known if I bothered to pay attention. However, one of the biggest shockers to me was that when the person who was supposed to come sing a song at the memorial for my parents didn't show, Hiccup of all people stepped up and offered to sing the song instead. I couldn't believe it when he made the suggestion, but Hiccup got up there and did it. And I'm confident that I cried because of how beautiful the song was. Hiccup performed a song called Forever by Rascal Flatts, and I believe it's meant to be about a couple breaking up, but the message I got was that I didn't have my parents long enough, but what we did have would last forever in my mind and heart.
I thanked Hiccup, sincerely by hugging and kissing his cheek accompanied by a Thank You for what he did. The rest of the memorial finished, then it went to the cemetery for the funeral as I said. A lot of things were still questionable, but the bottom line; My parents are dead, my house is destroyed from the fire…I didn't know what started the fire, or what actually caused my parents to die; whether it was smoke inhalation, heat, carbon monoxide…According to Spitelout, things were still being investigated. I hoped that changed today when I met with Stoick about the will; all I wanted was just a little good news to offset the utter sadness I felt from the last few days. So here I am at Haddock Manor once more; my friends stayed behind this time, and I think Hiccup is working until or 8 pm. I can't remember what he said he worked on Fridays because they were usually nights that Olivia brought Runa over. I think initially; he didn't work weekends, but I guess it's changed from what Hiccup mentioned at the start of October when we first learned more about him.
"Decided to come alone for this?" Stoick asked gently.
"I thought it would be best," I replied.
"Well, these matters are typically kept between immediate family," Stoick informed. "To begin…How are you doing?"
"I guess I'm alright…Still feels…Different even though it's almost been a full week," I admitted.
"Aye, it can do that for a while, but it gets easier with the love and support of those who care," Stoick reminded. I nodded, accepting the answer. I knew it would take a long time for me to get past this entire thing. "I imagine you'd like to get right to it?" he asked. I nodded again. Stoick sighed instantly, and I felt like this wasn't going to go as good as I hoped it would. "It was the wishes of your parents, Astrid, that you receive everything they possessed in the event of their passing. The last will and testament for both of your parents, Colden and Alva Hofferson, separately were mirrored,"
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"Well, for your father; everything was to be split between you and your mother in the event of his death. However, if your mother were to die before you; then you receive everything. And your mother, like your father's, states that you and your dad would divide everything if she passed, but if he went before you, then you get it all," Stoick explained.
"And what happens if they had both passed? Everything goes to me still" I inquired.
"That was the plan. Unfortunately…" Stoick paused as I felt my heart clench. "There are some complications it seeing it all the way through," he continued.
"What…" I began nervously, then took a breath. "What types of complications, Mr. Haddock?" I forced out.
"The first problem is that before your father sought my counsel on the matter; both wills were written…Illegally. What that breaks down to meaning is that neither of the original last will and testaments were registered in accordance with the town of Berk's laws or with valid witnesses. What it boils down to, Astrid; neither of these documents can be fulfilled as they aren't legal," Stoick explained.
"I don't understand. Isn't…It your job as their lawyer to see to it that they are written correctly and legalized?" I questioned.
"Yes, it is…But only if your father and I had gotten to finish making the necessary adjustments to do such a thing. As I said, Astrid…These," Stoick held up the two documents. "Were written by your parents before coming to me and handling the legality side of things. And their first wills, Astrid, did not include you because you had not yet been born, or even conceived. Now, for quite a bit of time; your father and I lost touch. And I wasn't their lawyer at the time these were made. I was actually still in law school. By the time we got in contact again; you were here, and your father re-wrote things to include you. However, it was only just very recently that these changes were made. I guess your father had forgotten entirely about the fact he and your mother wrote their own wills. I saw them when your father asked me to become his lawyer in a matter for work,"
I nodded, following along so far. "I informed your father that his and your mother's wills were not legal, and I told them what would need to be done to get it situated. This did not begin until September, and with your father getting re-elected as Mayor again, your mother's traveling; we just did not get around to finishing things. Your mother and father were always putting it off, saying they had plenty of time, and wouldn't be dying anytime soon," Stoick continued.
"But if you have those, saying what the wanted…Can't you legalize them now?" I questioned.
Stoick shook his head. "The last piece of this was their signatures and witnesses. Valka and I signed our places, as witnesses, and legal representative being me. However, with them now deceased…" he trailed off.
"Those don't meet the law requirements to be filed properly and enacted as intended…" I looked down. "What happens to all their things then?"
"All assets; meaning accounts, inheritances, property, for the time being, are frozen under the jurisdiction of the courts," Stoick informed. I wanted to cry. "Please, don't cry, Lass. I promise I'll find a way to rectify this minor detail. I'm sure I can locate a loophole in the laws and speak with a judge, and discover a way to get you what your parents intended for you to have in the event of their passing," he vowed.
I wiped my eyes. "Wh-What about the payout for the house insurance? B-Because it was destroyed in the fire?" I tried.
"That's another matter that your father didn't listen to me when I advised a proper course of action, and unfortunately…You are the one who has to suffer for it. The homeowner's insurance policy is in effect for natural disasters; tornados, hurricanes, flooding, etc. Also, it's for fire…" Stoick started.
"W-Well, this was a fire," I said quickly.
"Accidental fires, Lass," Stoick told me. I stopped, staring at him.
"Wh-What do you mean, Mr. Haddock? T-The fire that happened last Saturday night…I-It was accidental…Mom…Probably left the stove on, o-or there was a gas leak…" I stammered, not liking where this was going.
Stoick shook his head again, sadly as I felt my breath get caught in my throat. "Astrid…The investigation regarding the cause of the fire that killed your parents was deemed arson,"
I felt my body get weak, and thankfully, I was already sitting down, or I might have passed out again. "Y-You me-mean someone…Started that fire…On purpose?" I managed to get out, trying to process the information. My parents were murdered?
My fears were confirmed when Stoick nodded his head. I fell back in the chair, eyes widened. "Spitelout spoke to me this morning about the findings at the scene. The arsonist, who police still don't know or even have a suspect yet, set his fires in the outlets, a broken gas line, things that could begin slow, burn, then explode after a certain amount of time. It was decided by the fire investigator, and police that the fire was intentional. Someone or some people, if more than one were actively trying to kill your family. I suspect you too were meant to be murdered as well, but as you told Spitelout and Alvin…You snuck out to go to a party at your boyfriend's house,"
"S-So they were killed, on purpose? A-And authorities don't know who? And I don't get the money from my house that was destroyed intentionally, in an attempt to kill my family, me? Something that did take my parents?!" I began getting worked up.
"The insurance company will not cover the payout on the house because the fire was not accidental. I expressed to your father many times to change the policy to include everything, and he was confident that no one would be trying to take him down…And as such, like I said…That decision now affects you because you can't collect the money from the payout…" Stoick explained. I-I couldn't believe this. Between the illegal will and testament, and this arson thing; this meant that I didn't get anything. I-I was broke with nothing more to my name than…Well, my name as a Hofferson; former daughter to the Mayor of Berk. I had my car, but with no money for gas or the insurance that was in my parent's name; I wouldn't be able to drive it. I barely had clothes because of the fire obliterating most of the house. Gods, there were still things I wanted in there. "Do you have a place to go, Astrid?"
"Y-Yeah…I'm staying between my friend's places…For now…" I replied. "I-I there any way I'd be allowed at the house…T-To get things the might have survived the fire?"
"I'll call Spitelout and check; I believe the house was condemned to be unsafe, but there might be a slight chance," Stoick lifted the phone from the cradle and dialed a number as I sat back, still in shock, and trying to figure out what I was going to do. I wasn't getting the payout because the fire was arson, not accidental. And my parents' assets were frozen for the time being. But Lord only knew how long it would take to fix that if it could at all. Sure, I had my friends, but how long would that last; they couldn't put me up for long. The agreement had been until all this blew over, and right now; it had hit a major snag and set back farther than I anticipated. I didn't even hear Stoick talking on the phone until he put the device down and got my attention.
"Astrid?" Stoick said. I snapped out of it and looked at him sadly, miserable, and at a complete loss for words or ideas. "Spitelout says Alvin, and he will accompany you to your house tomorrow to walk through the selected safe areas given by the fire department to retrieved anything salvageable. Spitelout said he and Alvin will meet you there at 9 am if that's alright with you?" I just nodded, as if I had much choice; this was my only opportunity to hopefully grab some things to hold me over until I found another solution to this.
"I-I guess I should get going…Thank you for everything, Mr. Haddock. I-I'll find a way to pay you back for your services to my family. Well, what's left of it…" I stated, finding the strength to get up and stand so I could leave.
"Don't worry about it, Lass. Your parents were good friends to my family, and I was your folks' lawyer by favor, not hire. You don't owe anything for my services; just promise that if you need anything, you will call. The Haddock Manor doors are always open to you," Stoick smiled. "And I will keep working on finding the loophole with the wills,"
"Thank you," I said, trying not to cry again. I shook Stoick's hand, then headed for the exit of the estate. I got in my car, then left to go to Ragna's, as that's where I would be staying tonight. I didn't know what would happen next and hoped I hoped it wasn't anything worse than right now because at this moment, knowing what I do; all my prayers about it getting better had just gone up in flames with my house, and my parents.
