=Astrid's POV=

{Friday, June 20, 2025-6 pm}

(Town Of Berk; Mead Hall)

Knocking on the door forced me to open my eyes as I only saw me standing in front of the mirror. In the reflection; I saw the clock on the wall read 6:00 pm. I only closed my eyes for ten minutes to remember how this all started, but it felt like I'd relived my entire Senior Year. Here I am three years later marrying the man who saved me in every way someone can be saved. I still couldn't believe it, and from that one day, so much more has happened. There was another knock as I turned my head towards the door.

"Come in," I said softly. I watched the handle turn, and my future father-in-law poked his head in.

"It's time, lass. Are you ready?" Stoick asked me with a smile as he came inside the room all the way. "You look beautiful," he added.

"Thank you, Stoick. And yes," I paused taking a deep breath. "I'm ready," Stoick nodded, offering his arm to me. I held the bouquet in my left hand while connecting my right arm to Stoick's left. This was it; I'm getting married to Hiccup. Stoick led me out of the room and into the waiting area where my bridesmaids, maid of honor, and flower girl were lined up and waiting. The groomsmen were present as well; they would be leading the bridesmaids out. In order, it would be Ruffnut with Eret. Camicazi and Thuggory. Snotlout and Minden. Nadia and Ragna. Tuffnut and Adelaide. Fishlegs and Heather, who was my Maid of Honor. Hiccup's Best Man is Gobber, so he was already standing with Hiccup. Valka and Maeva would walk Runa down the aisle as she scattered the rose petals along the way.

Finally, it would be Stoick walking me down. There were a lot of people present to witness this moment, and we didn't mind sharing it with them. Guests in attendance are Stoick, Valka, Gobber, Maeva, Bard, Birger, Spitelout, Frida, Alvin, Termagant, Viggo, Kelda, Katja, Brenden, Ryker, Verena, Dagur, and Mala. Also, our friends were allowed to invite their mothers and fathers. So it was a semi-big guest list, and that didn't include any of our friends who had kids of their own. As I said, a lot has happened in three years since school ended and we had that graduation party in Hiccup's backyard.

To start; Hiccup did join the army! After processing in August 2022, Hiccup shipped to Reception Week on September 2nd; a month after being sworn in. Following that, Hiccup went to nine weeks of Basic Training at Fort Archian. Valka, Stoick, Gobber, Runa, and I got to bear witness to Hiccup graduating Basic as a Private. I recorded the whole thing for our friends and other family who didn't get to see it in person. Hiccup got to spend the day with us; then he immediately shipped off for Advanced Individual Infantry Training, another four weeks. Hiccup did miss Thanksgiving, but he was able to call for about twenty minutes. Thankfully, Hiccup was able to come home for Christmas, and he stationed right on Archia Isle, so he could live at Haddock Manor while still reporting to the city every day for work.

In other updates; Dagur and Mala had a son, Olvir, in September 2023, immediately got engaged when she was three months along in March 2023; then married by September 2023 for their son's first birthday; the two are just a few days apart. Ruffnut and Eret got together over in October 2022, then engaged two years later over December 2024; the two plan to get hitched October 2025 in four months. Thuggory and Camicazi got engaged during New Years 2023 and married a year later in January 2024. The two of them have a daughter, Sigrid; she was conceived two months after the wedding in March 2024, then born a month early in November 2024. Thug and Cami have no plans for more kids until Sigrid reaches at least two-years-old. Also, we learned a little after graduation that Camicazi was pregnant once before in January, but had an abortion in March when she wasn't sure if it was Thuggory's or Eret because she had been unfaithful to Thuggory. Hiccup told me that he knew, and found out when he dug a bunch of dirt up on them for bullying me so much.

For a couple weeks after the confession, we weren't sure Thug and Cami were going to last because Thuggory was pretty upset she never told him until then, but the two got over it and obviously, ended up engaged by the New Year. Thankfully, after Thuggory and Eret fought for five minutes and were pulled apart by Snotlout and Dagur, Hiccup got between and broke it up. Camicazi said it only happened one time between her and Eret in January 2022 when Thuggory was away on a small vacation. Hiccup made them get over it, and makeup. And then Thuggory and Camicazi worked things out shortly after a few weeks passed since the reveal; I still feel like the only reason it worked out because Thuggory admitted to sleeping with Nadia once when Cami was sick and couldn't come to a party.

Snotlout and Minden started dating May 2023 when he turned nineteen; it was his birthday wish that she was his girlfriend, and she accepted. The two were still going strong, but no plans to settle down yet. Nadia and Ragna were a thing after both came out of the closet. Nadia is bisexual, and Ragna, a full-blown lesbian. The two came clean at the graduation party about what they were and started dating in August 2022, and they were still together with possible plans to get engaged soon. A shocking pairing is Tuffnut, and Adelaide; Snotlout's little sister. The two apparently started liking one another during Adelaide's Senior Year; Snotlout came home from work and found Tuffnut and her baby sister making out on her bed during June 2024, and then after a lot of promising from Tuffnut to Snotlout, the two began dating at her Senior Prom.

So, those two have been together a year now, and things appear to be going really well, but no sex as Adelaide is still seventeen until September 2025 and Snotlout promised to kill Tuffnut mercilessly if he found out they did anything before she was eighteen. Spitelout backed that statement up as Frida only sighed and took Adelaide to start birth control so that she'd be prepared when it did happen. The last couple is Heather and Fishlegs. Shockingly, they aren't married yet but engaged and had twins; one boy and one girl. I thought for sure Dagur was going to kill Fishlegs, but when the pregnancy announcement came out the New Year's party for 2023. Thankfully, Hiccup, Eret, Thuggory, Snotlout, and Tuffnut were able to hold him back while Hiccup talked some sense into him. Heather got pregnant in December when she and Fishlegs made love for the first time on their one-year anniversary of dating.

Heather learned sometime in February that she was carrying twins, and gave birth early in August 2023, right before Dagur and Mala had their son in September. Twins have kept Heather and Fishlegs busy, but Fishlegs did propose on Valentines Day 2024, and now they are planning to get married in December 2025 when Fishlegs turns nineteen since he is the baby of the group next to Adelaide. But yeah, that's everyone from then to now. I even came clean to anyone who didn't know about it before that I was pregnant once and miscarried in January 2022. I even admitted to Hiccup why I was a little upset holding Runa the day she fell asleep on me the week of graduation; it was because of the miscarriage and a lot of times I wondered what it would have been like if my baby survived. I broke down on Hiccup that night and held me the entire time until I fell asleep. The next morning he promised that sometimes it's part of the plan and maybe it wasn't my time to have a child, but it would be one day and everything will be in its place for such.

So, Runa just turned four-years-old on the 11th, a couple of weeks ago. And she's the happiest, most energetic, smartest little girl I know. I adore her and after today; I'll become her stepmother. I'm not nervous to be; Hiccup prepared Runa for the change by explaining that Olivia would always be her mother, but she's with Odin now and watching over her and him as a guardian angel to protect and guide them. Hiccup told Runa that he was marrying me and that I'd be a second mom for her to have around since she couldn't see Olivia. Runa was still young, but it seemed like she understood that she got to have two mommy's and loved it. Hiccup and I prepared all the adoption paperwork, but we weren't re-issuing the birth certificate with me in place of mother; there would be a separate document saying I'm the stepmom.

"Let's get in place, people!" Valka clapped her hands. I hadn't said a word; I remained beside Stoick while the rest moved into their positions. The wedding was finally starting, and I couldn't wait for those doors to open and I set my eyes on Hiccup. I haven't seen in since yesterday's rehearsal dinner; we split off upon returning to Haddock Manor. Hiccup went to the opposite side of the house in Gobber's mini apartment, and I stayed in Hiccup's room clear across the way. In the morning; Hiccup and Gobber bailed around 7 am. I stayed at Haddock Manor for hair, nails, and basic preparing until 5:00 pm when we transported to Mead Hall for the dress and final touches. And now, it was time. Everything has been in preparation for this moment when Hiccup and I say our vows and get married.

Oh, did I mention that I got everything from my parents' wills? It happened around Christmas 2022 that my gift from Hiccup was a signed paper from a judge saying that he was going to release everything to me after the first of the year. I don't know how Hiccup pulled it off when a bunch of lawyers couldn't figure out how to make it happen, but Hiccup did, and I cried like a baby once it was revealed. I doubt I'll ever know how he did it; he still hasn't told me. Everything I got financially was put away in the bank and I still barely use it. And more fun information; Runa will start calling me Mom, Mama, or Mommy after Hiccup and I are married, but she's let it slip a few times beforehand, but I didn't mind; those were hard times for me and her. It was when Hiccup was deployed overseas with his Battalion; this was about 1,000 soldiers and their dragons if they had them.

Hiccup got deployed for a year in May 2023. In fact; I got the unfortunate notification on my birthday when Hiccup got a phone call from his commanding officer for the platoon he's part of. It was probably one of the worst days of my entire life. Hiccup came home that night three hours later to tell us the rest of the information. Hiccup and I celebrated our one-year anniversary a few days before he left; we made love as expected. And the day before that; Hiccup held a party for Runa's 2nd birthday since he wouldn't be home for it in June. Hiccup was gone for twelve months, but by some grace of Odin; he got a two week leave right around Christmas time. It was hard to have a relationship with such long distance, barely being able to talk, and the constant worrying if Hiccup was alright. Hiccup got hurt a few times during his tour, and one of the worst ones is when he got shot in the side right before coming home in May 2024; he somehow made it home for our two-year anniversary and boy was it a surprise.

Not just because he came home and didn't tell anyone until he walked through the door, but also that Hiccup proposed to me. I smiled now, recalling the event so vividly. Everyone was sitting in the Great Room; Hiccup usually always called to say hi to everyone on Sundays; it just so happened that this particular Sunday was May 12th, Hiccup's and mine's two-year anniversary of dating. None of us had talked to Hiccup in almost two weeks, so we were deeply concerned that something happened to him. However, the call came in, and we figured he was still in Iraq, but the little sneak was actually back in Berk at the house. Hiccup hid Toothless in the woods like old times while he scurried around to take care of things before the big moment. So Hiccup called, and right away, we noticed how good the reception was; that was a first.

/Flashback; May 12, 2024/

"That's him!" Valka said quickly as Stoick pressed the speaker button and the call connected.

"Hi, son! We're all here," Stoick greeted first.

"Hey, everyone," Hiccup replied. "How's it going?"

"We're good. Missing the hell outta you, man. Any word when you're coming home?" Snotlout asked.

"Not yet, should be soon, though. How's Roo? Ast? You there, babe?" Hiccup inquired.

"I'm here! Roo is on my lap. Miss you, baby!" I said quickly. "Your reception is great right now, where are you?"

"I found a good spot while flying with Toothless," Hiccup informed.

"Where have you been for two weeks!" Valka demanded.

"Sorry about that, Mom. Was kind of in the MC for a week," Hiccup stated.

"MC?" Valka asked.

"Medical Center, Val," Gobber explained.

"WHAT HAPPENED!?" Valka screeched.

"Will you relax! I'm fine, nothing a couple more weeks won't fix. If you must know…I got shot in the right side. Nothing serious, no vital organs hit; it was a deep graze that needed stitches. But I'm alright, so calm down…Anyway; I don't have long to talk. I'm glad everyone is good there…I called for a reason," Hiccup remarked.

"And that is?" Eret blinked.

"Well it's mine and Astrid's two-year anniversary; I fear her tracking me down and killing me if I didn't call today," Hiccup chuckled. "Happy anniversary, Milady,"

I blushed. "You too, baby. You owe me an outing, though!" I reminded.

"As soon as I'm back I will give you an anniversary you will never forget. Solider's Honor," Hiccup vowed. "In the meantime; I did send a gift your way. The tracking says it arrived and was left out front," he added.

"Alright, I'm going to see it now," I handed Valka Runa as I got the phone and headed for the front while the rest got up to follow and check on what I got. I opened the front door as I laid eye on Hiccup standing there, holding his phone to his ear with a smile on his face.

OH, MY GODS!" I dropped the phone to the ground and covered my mouth with tears already streaming down my face.

"Surprise," Hiccup lowered the phone and slid it away.

"HICCUP!" I charged at him, jumping into his arms and wrapping my arms around his midsection. "You're back! You're home!" I cried. Hiccup laughed a little as he hugged me back, then he kissed me deeply.

"DADDY!" Runa called as she squirmed from Valka's arms to get down and run as fast as her legs would carry her towards Hiccup. "DADDY HOME!" He lifted her up as I stood beside him, wiping my eyes.

"I'm home, baby girl," Hiccup hugged her tightly.

"Oh, son! Welcome home," Stoick wrapped Hiccup in a bear hug, then Valka and Gobber did the same. Everyone greeted Hiccup as we all moved inside the house shortly after and reached the Great Room. I instantly hugged him again.

"Best gift ever," I sighed out.

"Oh, me coming home wasn't your gift," Hiccup informed as I blinked at him. Hiccup moved away from me as he got down on one knee as everyone's eyes widened. "This is. June 19th, 2022; I gave you this ring," he held my hand and ran his finger over the promise ring I still wore. "I asked you to wear it as my symbol that I'm with you forever. And told you that one day I would present you with a ring on one knee and ask you to bind your life to mine in marriage," Hiccup removed the promise ring as he pulled out a blue, heart-shaped velvet box and opened it revealing a silver ring with a blue heart diamond at the top and two smaller circle ones on either side of it. "Today is that day, Astrid,"

I felt my heart racing in my chest.

"I'm not going to give you a long speech about how much I love you; we both know speeches are not a Hiccup thing as you may have noticed from graduation two years ago when I said screw it and just went with whatever came to mind. The bottom line is this; I love you. I loved you back then, I love you now, and I will love for all of our tomorrows. You've been my best friend for years, my girlfriend for two of them, and now I'm asking you to be my fiance for like a year; then we can get married, and you'll be my wife for the rest of our years. So Astrid Hofferson…Will you marry me?" Hiccup asked.

I smiled, still crying as I nodded. "Yes…Yes, I will!" the room erupted into applause as Hiccup stood up and placed the ring on my finger before I threw myself at him and planted a kiss on his lips. Hiccup wrapped his arms around my waist and deepened it.

/End Flashback/

And from there to now, thirteen months later; it's our wedding day. Everything was going according to plan. The doors opening a bit for each couple to walk through; then it was Runa as Stoick, and I stepped up to the door.

"Your parents would be very proud of how much you've grown and the woman you've become, Astrid. Valka and I know that we could not have asked for a better woman to call our daughter-in-law. We're glad you two made it back to one another. Thank you for making our son, and granddaughter so happy." Stoick said.

"Thank you for raising the wonderful man that I fell in love with," I replied.

=Normal POV=

The doors opened as Stoick, and Astrid walked out slowly as her eyes locked onto Hiccup's figure down the way; he was wearing his military dress uniform. It was at Astrid's request that he did because he looked ridiculously hot in it. Of course; we still couldn't do much with that wild hair of his. The military cut he had was shorter sides and a longer top, but the top still looked crazy. Moments later, Astrid stood before Hiccup as he offered his hand to her. Stoick put his hand on Hiccup's shoulder; then he took his seat beside Valka.

Welcome, friends and family of Hiccup Haddock and Astrid Hofferson…" the officiant began. Everything after that faded out for Hiccup and Astrid until it got to the vows bit where the man handed Astrid a thick wedding band. "Astrid?"

"I, Astrid Hofferson, take you, Hiccup Haddock, as my lawful husband. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part. As this ring as no end, neither with my love for you," Astrid stated lovingly as she slid the ring on Hiccup's finger.

"Now, you, lad," the officiant handed this Astrid's band.

"I, Hiccup Haddock, take you, Astrid Hofferson, as my lawful wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part. As this ring as no end, neither with my love for you," Hiccup set the ring in place as they held hands.

"With the vows spoken and rings place in front of myself and all these witnesses; it is my pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride," the man stepped back.

"Finally," Hiccup said as Astrid couldn't help but giggle a bit; then Hiccup pulled her against him, cupping her cheek and pressing his lips to hers in a deep, passionate kiss. The room erupted into applause and cheering.

"Ladies and gentleman, may I present Hiccup and Astrid Haddock!" the preacher called out as the room got louder and Hiccup just kissed Astrid again. Today marked the fulfillment of their promises to one another at the graduation party. Hiccup promised to ask for her hand in marriage, and Astrid promised to say yes. And now, they were husband and wife.