=Normal POV=

Astrid left her Gynecologists' office nervous and scared two days ago. Helga wrote her a prescription for prenatal vitamins, and scheduled the sonogram for December 9th to check the heartbeat, do measurements, and make sure everything was placed as it should be for a healthy pregnancy. Astrid went to the pharmacy, got the vitamins, then went to Hiccup's apartment to sit down and try to relax. Astrid knew she needed to calm down before she called Hiccup to tell him they were having a baby because she got knocked up from the first time they ever had sex. Gods, Astrid worried how Hiccup would react to this, and how it would go with him deployed. Astrid didn't know how this worked, but she knew she had to tell him. However, getting a hold of Hiccup was nothing easy, and unfortunately, she knew he was busy. This conversation they needed to have would take some time, and Astrid sincerely hoped that Hiccup could get that for this situation. Hiccup had tried e-mail, text, instant message, all of that, but there hadn't been a response. Astrid hadn't told anyone she was pregnant, the first to know should be Hiccup. Astrid was officially seven weeks along tomorrow.

'Gods, how do I get a hold of him if I can't make contact the typical ways?' Astrid asked herself. Right now, it was 2:37 pm. That meant it was nearing 7 pm in Afghanistan. Hiccup could be on guard, patrol, or a mission right now. Regardless, Astrid had to keep trying. Finally, she decided to do something drastic, and call the Archia Base in the city. Astrid didn't know what it would do, but maybe they could suggest another method of contact. Astrid looked up the number, and called, praying to could get through. After fifteen minutes of constant transfers and sitting on hold, someone picked up.

"Archia Military Base. How can I help you?" answered a male voice.

"Hi, I'm just…looking for information, or maybe advice on contacting a deployed Marine," Astrid said, not sure how else to word it.

"Well, I can do my best for you, ma'am. Is this an emergency matter?" the man asked.

"I, uh, I'm not sure. What defines as an emergency?" Astrid inquired.

"Death in the family, the birth of a child, major events that they would need to be informed about," the male replied.

"Does finding out you're pregnant after your boyfriend has left for a year deployment count?" Astrid wondered.

"Depends on nature. Did he know you could become pregnant? Were you trying for a baby?" the man responded.

"No. It was…unplanned, and I've tried to contact him on my own for two days, but there isn't an answer. I've…just been trying to tell him because he doesn't know, and I'm almost two months in, and he's deployed for a year, a-and," Astrid continued, trying not to cry now. Of course she was scared and nervous being only twenty-one, pregnant, while Hiccup was away and she couldn't reach him.

"Alright, take a few breaths, ma'am. I'll see what I can do. What is your boyfriend's name?" the male requested.

"I-It's Corporal Hiccup Haddock. He's…deployed to Camp Nox in Afghanistan," Astrid answered while attempting to calm down.

"Okay. I'm going to put you on a brief hold, and we'll see if we can't get a message to Hiccup to contact you, okay?" the man told her.

"Okay," Astrid sniffled a bit, praying to the Gods this worked.

{Camp Nox-7:25 pm}

Hiccup was thoroughly exhausted having just come from a sixteen-hour guard that turned into a patrol, then small firefight before they got out and have since returned to the base. Hiccup wanted a shower, something to eat, then get as much rest as allowed before tomorrow.

"Haddock!" called Major Grimborn as Hiccup had just put his gun down.

Hiccup groaned a bit as he offered his company leader a salute out of respect. "Yes, Major Grimborn. What can I do for you?" Hiccup asked.

"I'm afraid I'm not here for me. I just received a call from the battalion leader; Lieutenant Colonel Henrik Andersen. Evidently, there is someone back home trying to get ahold of you for a serious matter, and thought to call Fort Archia to relay that message here for you," Viggo stated. Hiccup blinked a bit. Who was calling Fort Archia to get ahold of him? And what was that serious that they went through such an extreme measure to contact him?

"Alright. Who, and I'll call them right now," Hiccup inquired.

"Your girlfriend," Viggo informed. Hiccup's eyes widened. Astrid called Fort Archia to reach him? Suddenly, he was nervous, but grabbed his phone, and pulled up Skype, then called Astrid who was already online. Hiccup gave it a few minutes to load with the camera, but it was taking too long so he shut it off and it connected right away. Hiccup put the phone to his ear, then waited. "Astrid?" he asked.

"Hiccup? Thank Odin my message got through," Astrid replied with some relief in her voice.

"Yeah, I just got back from a sixteen-hour guard, that turned patrol, and small fight. What's the matter, babe?" Hiccup asked quickly.

"Are you alone?" Astrid inquired.

"No, I'm with the platoon. I can't go outside or I'll lose reception. Tell me what's going on. Why in the name of Thor did you contact Fort Archia to get ahold of me. Is everything okay?" Hiccup asked quickly. Thuggory heard the worry in Hiccup's voice about wanting to know what was wrong for Astrid to contact the main operating base of Archian State to get a message to Hiccup to call her for a serious matter. Thuggory had the others quiet down. Viggo was still present, and Ryker came in a moment ago as Viggo had him remain silent for the time being.

"Hic? Everything okay back home?" Thuggory questioned.

"I don't…know. Astrid, tell me what's going on. I know that Fort Archia wouldn't have passed this message along unless it was something along the lines of an emergency. Talk to me, now, please?" Hiccup asked.

"Hiccup. I…don't know how to say this, so I'm just gonna state it bluntly," Astrid replied as Hiccup got nervous.

"Astrid, you're starting to scare me and I don't frighten easily. Has someone been hurt? Are my dad and godfather alright? Out with it, please?!" Hiccup pleaded.

"I'm pregnant, Hiccup," Astrid informed. Hiccup froze as his eyes went wide at the piece of information he'd been given.

"What?" Hiccup asked slowly, in a quieter voice. "What did you just say?" he added.

"What's going on, Corporal?" Ryker asked.

"You heard me. I've got a bun in the oven. I'm with child. I'm expecting. However it is you want to process it the words, but I'm pregnant, Hiccup," Astrid said again. Hiccup felt his knees go weak as he staggered to stay standing.

"Woah there, Hic. Easy now," Eret said.

"Why don't you take a seat, Corporal Haddock," Viggo suggested. Cody and Thuggory helped Hiccup to sit down on his cot while he seemed to be in a bit of shock. Finally, it was beginning to wear off. Hiccup took a few seconds to regain himself, and take a few breaths.

"A-Are you okay?" Astrid asked.

"I-I, uh, I don't-," Hiccup stammered a bit. "Sorry, I just…Wow, I was…not expecting this to be the serious matter you wanted to contact me about," Hiccup stated.

"I tried everything else over the last two days, and there was no answer. I'm sorry if I got you into any trouble," Astrid said softly.

"I'm not in trouble. Don't worry, but usually if someone goes through that much trouble to pass a message to a service member who is deployed then it's a huge deal. I was terrified something happened back home to you, dad, or Gobber," Hiccup tried to relax a little; this was still a serious situation. Astrid was pregnant, and it was apparent she called because they needed to discuss things.

"No, everyone is okay here. I-I haven't told anyone about this; I wanted to talk you first, so we could decide what to do," Astrid enlightened to assure him that nothing was wrong at home.

"I thank you for that. Well, you have me now, so let's talk. Give me just one second, okay?" Hiccup paused, then put it on mute as he turned to Viggo and Ryker. "I don't suppose there's a quiet place on this base I can talk to my girlfriend without worry of losing the signal?" he wondered.

"Well, there's the CO quarters where the battalion leader and company leaders reside. I'm afraid you won't be allowed in there without a good reason, though," Viggo remarked.

"Does my girlfriend being pregnant qualify?" Hiccup questioned as Thuggory, Eret, and Cody's eyes widened in shock. Astrid was pregnant?!

"Yes, it does because that's a family matter. Come along," Viggo invited. Hiccup silently thanked the Gods as he rounded up a few things, and followed Viggo out.

"Babe?" Hiccup asked after taking it off mute.

"Yeah?" Astrid replied.

"Listen, I'm on my way to the CO offices, that way we can have some privacy while we talk. I'll call you back when I get there, okay? They have better reception too," Hiccup informed.

"Alright, I'll be waiting. I love you," Astrid responded.

"I love you too," Hiccup then ended the call while following Viggo.

"Hic, let us know?" Eret asked. Hiccup nodded before going out of sight. Reaching the offices, they were different from the barracks. It was built to be like a dorm building, each company leader and the battalion head resided in here, and there was a significant office space towards the back with cubicles for each officer. Viggo led Hiccup towards his, then had him sit down at the desk.

"Take as much time as you need, Haddock, and then give me the information so we can start making arrangements to accommodate this sudden situation," Viggo commanded.

"Aye, Major," Hiccup nodded. Viggo walked away as Hiccup set up his tablet by plugging it in, and putting it on the stand he had. Hiccup powered it on, then he logged into Skype, and called Astrid back. Thankfully, this time, they could use the camera. "Hey," he greeted.

~Hi, babe.~ Astrid replied.

"Okay. Wow. I, uh, don't know where to start. I mean…Are you…taking this alright?" Hiccup wondered.

~I'm…settling with it still. It…explains why I've been ill the last few weeks. Not constant, just on and off.~ Astrid informed.

"Well, that's…good. I'm…glad you're okay, and we know the cause now. Um, how did…you find out?" Hiccup asked.

~At my annual appointment two days ago. It was just supposed to be a Pap Smear, but you know they run standard tests. I was talking to my doctor, and then the nurse pulled her aside. When Dr. Falk returned, she asked me if I knew I was pregnant. Right away, I said I wasn't, that I got my period last month. Then…I began to question it myself. I know I got my October one, it was two weeks before we had sex. Thinking more on November, it was when you left, and I actually didn't remember if I got it or not. Obviously not as I'm pregnant.~ Astrid explained.

"Alright, I'm…following so far. So, it was an office test that showed you were. I guess I don't have to wonder if maybe you tested wrong. Uh, how…far along are you right now?" Hiccup inquired.

~I'm…seven weeks tomorrow. When I found out, I was six weeks and four days.~ Astrid told him.

Hiccup sat back in the chair while rubbing his face a bit, trying to settle with the news as it was steadily becoming more real to him that his girlfriend was pregnant. "So you're…almost two months along already," Hiccup kept his head to the ceiling.

~Yeah, next week on December 13th.~ Astrid nodded to him.

"That would make you due…Sometime towards the end of July next year, correct?" Hiccup questioned after flipping through the wall calendar on Viggo's cubicle wall.

~Mmhm. July 25, 2014, marks forty weeks. I'm…already taking prenatals, and have a sonogram scheduled for the 9th to check the heartbeat, measurements, and everything is as it should be for the pregnancy at 9:30 am.~ Astrid enlightened.

"Whew boy. Alright, uh, using the timeframe of everything; you must have ovulated the day after we had sex for the first time, and my condom must have broken or had a leak. Okay. These…things happen. No big deal; we can…handle this. You're…pregnant, and we're…gonna have a baby in seven months," Hiccup said as the news continued to set in that he was going to be a father. He and Astrid were having a baby; this was real, and it was actually happening.

~A-Are you…okay with this, Hiccup?~ Astrid asked him.

"Well, it's not an ideal situation, Astrid. I mean, I'm…deployed until next November, and I can't be there for a lot of the things you're going to have to go through. Then there's your racing career to consider; you can't be flying at those speeds and doing the obstacles in your condition," Hiccup pointed out. Astrid sighed a bit; she had almost completely forgotten about that. The new race season started in January after the New Year, and she would be three months pregnant for that, and Hiccup was still deployed.

~We can…figure it out. Maybe I can…get a stand-in to race on Stormfly for me. I'll talk to the Race Master about it. As for you; I don't know, don't they issue time off for new babies?~ Astrid replied.

"I'm not sure. Now that I have some information from you about this; I have to talk to my CO about how it works. Alright, let's do this because I know you and I are against abortion and adoption for whatever beliefs we have. We're obviously keeping the baby we have created; we both had a hand in it, so we're not gonna pass blame. It happened, and we'll take responsibility for what we chose to do, and what has developed from it. I'm gonna let you go for now, so I can talk to Major Grimborn about what happens next on my side of things. For now, you just…take care of yourself, and the baby. Get some rest, and I'll call you back as soon I can. Oh, and don't tell anyone from our families or friends yet. My guys know not to say anything. When we have all the information, we'll start telling people. Sound okay?" Hiccup asked.

~It does. I won't say anything.~ Astrid confirmed.

"Thank you. Hey, it's alright, Astrid. We'll figure this out, and we'll do it together. I'm not mad, it's kind of a little exciting while still being scary, nerve-wracking, and a shock. So, let me let you go for now, and I promise you'll hear from again this evening. It's nearing 8 pm here, but I'm likely not going to bed right away with all this going on now. It's all good, we'll be fine. I promise. I love you, Astrid," Hiccup said.

~I love you too, Hiccup.~ Astrid responded with a smile. Hiccup blew her a kiss that she caught, then she returned one to him. Hiccup ended the video call as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Astrid was pregnant with his baby, they were keeping it, and things were about to get a lot crazier for them as they figure out how to handle things with her in Archian City, and himself in Afghanistan while they prepared to become parents.