=Astrid's POV=
{Saturday, February 12, 2022- 4:00 pm}
(Berk; Haddock Manor)
Something I had not expected to learn Friday night the 11th, was that Stoick Haddock had been elected as the Mayor of Archia Isle. I didn't even know he was running, but I guess maybe I tuned all that out because my father had been the Mayor; I didn't want to hear anything about a replacement. I did understand, though, that someone had to step up to do the job. I guess Stoick won by a landslide, and I was happy for him. At least I knew our home was in the hands of a someone who knew how my dad wanted things to be. Stoick had been my father's friend, advisor, lawyer, so Stoick would keep situations and decisions in the same range as my father would have. This was the event that Hiccup and Snotlout were talking about on Wednesday morning. Starting at 5 pm, people would begin arriving for a celebration at Haddock Manor. One reason was for Valka Haddock's birthday, and the second was due to the Mayorship election and Stoick winning it. A lot of guests would be coming, and the event was being held in the Ballroom. I wasn't looking forward to all this; I remember this party each time my dad won, and I was terrified if I could make it through tonight knowing that I wouldn't be at my parent's side this time.
Hiccup's friends would be coming among the people attending, and their families too. Hiccup worked a compromise with his old man about it; that they'd be part of the event as long as they could stay over after it was finished. Hiccup even offered to provide the entertainment, which was his music. Stoick agreed to the terms but added that Hiccup had to be part of the party the entire time. No sneaking off, no messing around, and acting the way he knew he had to. Hiccup agreed to all of it, and then his father said that Hiccup had to wear a formal suit, and that's when I saw Hiccup groan in defeat over dinner on Wednesday night. Hiccup entirely expressed how much he hated wearing a suit and tie. I recall that even at the funeral for my parents; Hiccup wore black jeans and sneakers, then a nice, button-down shirt that got tucked in. However, Hiccup agreed to his father's side of the deal, so that's how I knew Snotlout, Fishlegs, Heather, Dagur, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Minden would be coming tonight. And Runa was with Olivia, or so I assumed.
Truthfully since I began living here; I haven't seen Olivia over once. I suppose it did raise the question from that day in lunch when Eret and my former friends pissed Hiccup off; did something happen to Olivia and Hiccup? I didn't know, and I also remember what Hiccup told me; to keep Olivia and Runa out of our mouths. I didn't want to anger him, so I would respect his demand. Valka took me shopping, again, on Friday night when I got home from school because I needed a dress for the party. I picked the simplest thing in my favorite color that was appropriate and cheap. I was going to wear the black heels that I wore with my school uniform with the dress; it was easier, and I likely wouldn't do any makeup either. You know, the weirdest thing about this election is that it was never made public. I think Stoick was voted in by the higher up people in Denmark, which is East of Archia Isle, and they have people higher up the chain of command who step in when the mayor in his or her current term just passes away and can't complete their duties. However, this must have been decided a while back because I recall Dagur coming to the school and Hiccup mentioning that his father was busy, and everyone would know why soon.
I assume that night; things would be made public by formal announcement. Stoick would get announced as the Mayor, then his wife and son, as the Mayor's Family. I recall how this went, so that's how I knew it would probably happen. Thus far today, I've relaxed most of it and spent some time with Stormfly in the stables. I guess it was alright living here; I could see Stormfly all the time now. I haven't seen Hiccup since after lunch in the family room. I know Olivia's father came to collect Runa a little before that. I felt like something was bothering him, but I knew it wasn't my place to ask him. Yes, I lived here thanks to his family's kindness, and Hiccup's sympathy the night of the storm when he took me in off the streets, but that didn't mean we were buddies. I was more or less a roommate that he was helping out, and in this arrangement; we only saw one another when he had to. Other than that; we kept to ourselves and stayed out of one another's spaces. I still can't get over him humiliating my former friends on Wednesday; that was the best thing I'd ever seen, and the hilarious part is no one knows who did it except for me, and maybe Hiccup's friends. I doubt he kept something like that from them.
Either way, I was grateful for what Hiccup did. It was nice to see those seven get humiliated the way I did because of them. And I never knew Hiccup could be so damn sneaky; it was fantastic. Those pictures and videos were circulating, so the rest of this year should be interesting because nobody was going to let them live that prank down. And I sure as hell wouldn't forget it either. Right now, I'm in my room getting ready for the party. It was almost time for this to begin.
. . .
=Normal POV=
{4:15 pm}
Fifteen minutes passed as Astrid looked out her window and was able to see everyone arriving. The first people spotted were Snotlout, Spitelout, Frida, and Adelaide. Then it was Fishlegs, Alvin, and Termagant. After them, it was Minden and her parents, Odda and Alvis, arriving with Ruffnut and Tuffnut, who were also with their parents, Buffnut and Elin. Heather and Dagur showed up last in the group of Hiccup's friends with their father, Oswald. However, a group of people she didn't expect to see arriving was Eret, Nadia, Thuggory, Camicazi, Ragna, and Gruffnut. All with their parents or parent. Astrid knew the Camicazi's father passed away overseas when she was still young, so it was just her and her mother, Bertha Boggs now on Bog-Burglar Islands. Ragna's parents were Gunnar and Erika Falk, all from Lava-Lout Island. Eret was from the Waterlands, and his father was also named Eret, but the First. Astrid knew that Eret's mother was Arnora Trapp.
Nadia's father passed away from cancer when she was three, so Nadia lived with her mother, Halla Warrier, on Wingmaiden Island. Gruffnut was a cousin to Ruffnut and Tuffnut, and his parents were Spearnut and Hilde. Gruffnut lives on Berk as well. Finally, Thuggory's was from Meathead Island, and his parents were Mogadon and Rania Meatsen. Astrid didn't know why those seven had come, but they must have gotten invited; she knew this was a private event by invitation only. Just was Astrid didn't need, and she was sure Hiccup wouldn't be thrilled either. Unless of course, he already knew and that's why he was hiding out. The event didn't start for another forty-five minutes, so why were these people here already? Downstairs, Hiccup's friends had come with bags.
"Hi, Uncle Stoick," Adelaide greeted.
"You kids can take your bags up to Hiccup's room. Pretty sure he's there, or maybe in the basement. He's having one of his days, so be mindful," Valka informed.
"Why don't you six join them? Things down here don't start for another fifteen minutes anyway," Stoick added.
"Okay," the populars smiled, nodding to Stoick. All of them had been warned once by their parents not to cause trouble tonight.
"Uh, Mr. Haddock…I-I don't think that's a good idea if Hiccup's having one of his days…" Fishlegs mentioned.
"We'll be okay; we're not here to give him a hard time. I'm sure we're past all that," Thuggory mentioned.
"See?" Stoick motioned. Dagur leaned towards Stoick, putting his hand up to cover his mouth.
"They don't know what happened, Mr. Haddock. In fact, it was them mentioning her that set Hiccup off in November," Dagur whispered. Stoick sighed a bit.
"I assumed they knew," Stoick stated, now he looked at the six, who didn't understand what was being talked about. "Listen, kids. I'm not gonna go into the details because it's Hiccup's business, but he's dealing with some personal things right now. And some days are harder than others, so please try to bear that in mind tonight," Stoick informed.
"We will," the six said together, smiling still. Snotlout and the others sighed but headed for the stairs with the populars following closely.
"So…What was that all about?" Gruffnut asked.
"None of your business," Ruffnut remarked.
"If Hiccup wanted you to know; he'd tell you," Dagur added. The rest of the walk was silent as they reached Hiccup's room. Snotlout knocked on the door, but there was no answer.
"Hic, hey! It's us, you in there?" Snotlout asked. No reply back. Snotlout turned went to the door where the Sitting Room/Library was, turning the handle as he walked in and looked around. No Hiccup. Snotlout checked through the glass doors leading into Hiccup's bedroom and still didn't see him. "Nothing," Snotlout informed.
"Well, his mom said he might be in the basement too," Camicazi reminded. The friends dropped their things in the sitting room, then they left, turning back to use the elevator to go down to the cellar. After Astrid heard that they had left, she exited the room to use the central stairs to move to the where the library was, then use those stairs to get into the basement where she went past the pool and workout rooms to find Hiccup sitting on the couch. The man still wearing his jeans, a green t-shirt, and brown socks. Hiccup hadn't even noticed her; his eyes were glued to the TV, watching what appeared to be home videos. Astrid looked across the way to where the elevator was, seeing the others file out and then Dagur putting his arm out to stop anyone from crossing the way between Hiccup and the television.
Hiccup was reclined on the couch, one leg up and the other carelessly dangling over the edge. It was as if he was in his world; he didn't say anything to them or even acknowledge they were there. Hiccup looked miserable, and no one had ever seen him like that before. Well, his friends had, but not the populars or Astrid.
"What are you doing here?" Ragna questioned in a whispered tone.
"She was invited as a friend of the family," Heather stated. Hiccup still didn't say anything to them; he just lifted the remote up and changed the video he was watching. Astrid made her way over to the others, standing next between Ruffnut and Minden. The video on showed a hospital room with Stoick, Valka, Gobber, Birger, Olivia's parents, Runa in Valka's arms. Olivia was the one in the bed, hooked up to IV's and monitors. Hiccup was on her right, holding her hand tightly. Olivia looked nothing like the female they remembered seeing in October. This girl was pale, sickly pale, and weak.
"He's sitting at the table. The hours get later. She was supposed to be here; he was sure she would have called. He waits a little longer; there's no one in the driveway. No one's said they'd seen her, why, is something wrong? He looks back to the window, suddenly, the phone rings. A voice says something's happened, and he should come right now." Hiccup started singing.
"You know we shouldn't be letting him watch this…" Fishlegs mentioned. "He's torturing himself with it; you remember what happened last time,"
"Leave it be, Legs," Tuffnut sighed. The six populars and even Astrid didn't understand what was happening. Astrid wondered if this was why Hiccup had been so down lately. Hiccup pressed another button, turning up the sound.
"His mind goes to November; he thinks of when he asked her. He bent down on his knees first, and he said," Hiccup continued as their eyes fell on the screen when they saw Hiccup get on one knee, holding a ring between his fingers. "I want you forever. Forever and always. Through the good, and the bad, and the ugly. We'll grow old together, forever and always," Hiccup's eyes never left the video he was watching. It was at this time that they saw Hiccup move his hand to hold a set of rings that were on a necklace and had been hidden under his shirt.
"Liv…I want you forever and always. However long that is. Whatever time we have left; I want it with you. Will you marry me?" Hiccup asked her.
Olivia almost cried, but she put her hand on his. "Yes," she replied with no hesitation. Hiccup got up, putting the ring on her finger, then kissed her gently.
"I love you," Hiccup rested his forehead on hers.
"I love you too," Olivia responded lovingly.
"Let him enjoy the memories, as painful as they might be," Dagur said. "He's got us to get him through it; he just needs time,"
"But how much, guys? He's not even remotely close to getting over it, even though it's been a few months," Ruffnut said.
"As long as it takes," Snotlout stated.
"He pulls up to the entrance. He walks right to the front desk. They lead him down a million halls; a maze that's never-ending. They talk about what happened, but he can barely hear them. He tries to keep a straight face as he walks into the room. He sits by her bedside, holds her hand too tight. They talk about the kids they're gonna have, and the good life. A house on the hillside, where they would stay," Hiccup took a shaky breath.
"Stay there forever. Forever and always. Through the good, and the bad, and the ugly. We'll grow old together, and always remember; whether rich, for poor or for better. We'll still love each other, forever and always," Hiccup sang, but Astrid had noticed his body began to shake a bit. "Then they get an idea and call in the nurses, bring up the chaplain, and he says a couple verses. They borrow some rings and stand before the door; everybody's laughing, as the tears fall on the floor. He looks into her eyes, and he says…"
The video jumped to later on where Olivia was wearing a white gown and bridal headband with a small veil behind her. Hiccup was wearing a suit, Runa in a little pink dress. The nurses were helping to hold Olivia up as she stood before Hiccup, their hands connected. At this point, Hiccup's eyes were seen watering as a few tears began to slip down his cheeks. The others normally would have teased, but they couldn't bring themselves to while seeing this, and Astrid felt her heart tightening; going out for Hiccup.
"I want you forever. Forever and always. Through the good, and the bad, and the ugly. We'll grow old together, and always remember; whether happy, or sad, or whatever. We'll still love each other, forever and always. Forever and always! Forever and always…" Hiccup continued as he lowered his leg and leaned forward more.
"I, Olivia Holgerson, take you Hiccup Haddock to be my lawfully wedded husband. For better or worse. For richer or poorer. Through good, bad, happy, and sad times. From this day forward, I promise to love you forever and always," Olivia said to Hiccup. "With this ring, I bind my life to yours, and as this band has no end, neither will my love for you," she placed a ring on Hiccup's finger.
"I, Hiccup Haddock, take you Olivia Holgerson to be my lawfully wedded wife. For better or worse. For richer or poorer. Through good, bad, happy, and sad times. From this day forward, I promise to love you forever and always," Hiccup said to her. "With this ring, I bind my life to yours, and as this band has no end, neither will my love for you," he placed a ring on Olivia's finger.
"With the power vested in me by the town of Berk, I now pronounce you husband and wife," the chaplain said, closing his book. Hiccup and Olivia kissed.
"He finishes the vows, but the beeps are getting too slow; her voice is almost too low…" Afterward, Hiccup picked Olivia up in his arms, carrying her to the bed as the beeps were indeed getting slower. Olivia panted a bit, cupping Hiccup's face and smiling the best she was able.
"I love you, Hiccup. You and Runa with all my heart. And remember that even if I'm not here; I'll love and be with you both, forever and always," Olivia whispered.
Valka handed Runa to Hiccup as the family of three hugged, then Hiccup kissed Olivia deeply.
"As she says; I love you forever. Forever and always. Please just remember, even if I'm not there; I'll always love you, forever and always." Hiccup finished, the tears falling. No sooner than he broke the kiss on the video, Olivia kissed Runa's forehead gently, lightly touching her face before Olivia's eyes closed, and she flatlined. Hiccup's face fell, holding Runa against him as he let tears fall freely.
"Forever and always," Hiccup whispered, then Olivia's arm dropped.
Olivia died. Mere seconds after marrying Hiccup with a little hospital bedside wedding; Olivia passed away. Something told Astrid and the six populars that this is what Snotlout meant that day in lunch when he said they'd gone too far. The video got rewound to the last moment Olivia was alive, and Hiccup paused it there, just staring. Finally, he lowered his head, crying. Not long after, Hiccup brought his palms up and cried into them. Astrid and the others didn't move, but Snotlout turned away and began pushing them to leave too.
"I hope you understand now why I said you went too far..." Snotlout sighed.
"Let's go. I think Hiccup just needs a little time," Dagur added, helping Snotlout to get everyone to file out so Hiccup could be alone to mourn the loss of the woman he loved.
It was now that Astrid and her former friends, and ex-boyfriend understood that Hiccup bailed that day during training because he got a call about Olivia, and this was that day. It showed on the timestamp at the bottom right of the screen. And Hiccup took all the time off to mourn; even now, he still was a few months later. The seven realized that Olivia did leave Hiccup as they teased, but not the way they thought. And for once; they didn't like how awful it felt knowing how wrong they were to assume the things they did.
