=Hiccup's POV=
{December 25, 2013}
You can imagine my shock and fear when Viggo, my commanding officer informed me twenty days ago that someone back home had sent a message for me to call them for a pressing matter that I needed to be aware of. I worried about so many things that I could have been contacted about, and then after all that; it was learning that my girlfriend of a year and two months tomorrow, is pregnant with my child. Yes. It came off as a major shock to me too because it was the one thing I had not been expecting to hear. Astrid and I talked about things, and decided to keep the baby; we would work around anything else that came up unexpectedly. After getting off the phone with her, I talked to Viggo, Ryker, and Henrik Andersen, the battalion leader. Unfortunately, he had to be involved for things to go as smooth as possible with trying their best to get me home for the birth of my first child.
~Flashback; 12/5/2013; Camp Nox-8 pm~
I ended the call with Astrid, then took a moment to process things that were said, and finally collect my thoughts before stepping out of the cubicle to see Viggo talking to the battalion leader; Henrik Andersen. I was nervous because I had no idea how to handle all this, so I hoped I would get some insight from these two on the matter.
"Corporal Haddock. Have we spoken to the girlfriend and gotten some information for us?" asked Henrik.
I nodded to him. "Yes, sir,"
"Excellent. Why don't we move into my office, and you can fill us in on the situation?" Henrik offered while motioning for myself and Viggo to follow. I had my tablet in my hand with the charger in case I needed to contact Astrid for anything else. Reaching Henrik's office, I sat down in one chair, then Viggo in the other. Henrik took his place across from us and folded his hands together on the desk. "Alright, so as I understand your girlfriend is pregnant, and I'm assuming this was…unplanned?"
"That's correct, sir," I replied.
"Now, what…has taken place so far on her side? When did she find out, how, has she been to the doctors?" Henrik inquired.
I took a deep breath. "From what I was told by Astrid, she had her annual Gynocologist exam on the 3 rd , and they run standard tests, one of which is a pregnancy one. The nurse informed the doctor about the results, and then my girl's doctor asked her if she knew she was. Astrid said no, and things continued from there," I explained as I had been given by Astrid.
"Very good, so that means we can confirm that there is a pregnancy occurring. That wasn't to suggest we assume she's lying, but there have been situations in the past where a Marine is informed he is about to be a father based on a faulty pregnancy test. Also, a lot of paperwork goes into these types of things, and a doctor's confirmation will be needed," Henrik informed.
"Oh, no. It's okay. I actually said the same thing about not needing to worry if Astrid tested wrong," I assured.
"Ah, we're on the same page then. Perfect, that always helps. Now, what other information can you give us as it's been two days since her appointment. I assume that the reason Fort Archia contacted Camp Nox to pass a message along to you was that she had attempted to reach you after she found out?" Henrik questioned.
"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel. And I apologize if that was troublesome at all," I said.
"None at all. Archia wouldn't have fulfilled her request if they didn't deem it worthy enough to pass along to Nox. Now, what was she able to tell you from the appointment? Has she had a sonogram yet?" Viggo interjected as I nodded, grateful that it hadn't caused trouble.
"Astrid didn't mention any sonogram, but she did say that at the time of the appointment she was confirmed to be six weeks and four days along," I stated.
"That was two days ago, so now she would be six weeks and six days along if I remember how pregnancy works," Henrik remarked.
"The would put her at a late July birth, and mark your…eight months on tour with four to go following that. Would it be possible for you to ask her if she received an expected due date? And if she's had her first ultrasound yet? It's all information we need to try and get you home for the birth. We do our best to make it happen, but we cannot predict when she will go into labor, unfortunately. Sometimes it's early, other times, it's on the dot, then there are women who go late, or need to be induced. In short, we follow the pregnancy as much as we can with updates from her to you, then to us," Viggo said.
"I could…try to call her, and see if she has that information for me to give to you?" I offered. Henrik motioned for me to go ahead as I got my tablet ready, and clicked her name again. It began ringing, trying to connect, then it answered.
~Hi, ba-baby.~ Astrid answered miserably. I could tell from the background that she was in the bathroom at my apartment.
"You okay?" I asked.
~Why do they…call it morning sickness if it can hit at any time?~ Astrid questioned.
"I wish I knew, Love. You up to talking for a few minutes?" I questioned.
~Y-Yeah, I can manage.~ Astrid replied as she leaned against the tub/shower combination while holding the phone up to show her face.
"If I can suggest. My wife didn't have an easy time with morning sickness either. What worked for her was keeping some crackers by the bed, and eating them before you get up in the morning. Also, you might want to give eating small, but frequent meals a try. Oh, and things with ginger did wonders for my sister-in-law," Henrik offered.
"Sorry, that's my battalion leader. If you've been throwing up, stay on the water, babe," I said.
~I'll…give those things a try. Thank you. What did you want to talk about, Hiccup?~ Astrid wondered.
"Well, my CO's were curious if you got an expected due date from your doctor. And also if you've had your first sonogram?" I said.
~Uh. I think my doctor mentioned something about both. Hang on, they're in the bedroom because I was going over it all.~ Astrid said as she forced herself up and moved out of the bathroom, and then into the bedroom. Astrid looked through a few things, then she got was she was searching for. ~Okay, um, the due date is expected to be the 25th of July 2014. And my first…ultrasound is scheduled for this coming Monday, the 9th at 9:45 am. I guess that's for checking the heartbeat, placement, and measuring.~ Astrid informed.
"Wonderful. Thank you, Miss," Viggo said.
~No problem. Oh, and you can call me Astrid.~ Astrid smiled a bit. ~Did you need anything else?~ she pondered.
"I believe we are all set, for now, Astrid. You've been very helpful; we're trying to plan Hiccup's leave time accordingly, so he'll be home for the birth of the baby," Henrik enlightened. "To make that more of a guarantee; anything baby-related, please let Hiccup know as soon as you're able. For example, if the doctor were to plan an induction, let us know. Okay?"
~I'll do my best.~ Astrid nodded, though, I could tell she looked really pale.
"You look exhausted, babe. Grab a water bottle, and lay down for a bit. I know I'm beat, and as soon as all this is taken care of, I'm gonna hit the sack too," I admitted.
~Okay. I'll message you in the morning? Well, it will probably be afternoon for you. I love you.~ Astrid blew a kiss my way.
"I love you too, Milady," I responded before ending the call, then locking the tablet screen. "What happens now?"
"As we have all this, we're gonna be sending the recent updates to Fort Archia, and from there, they will be sending some things to Astrid. Proof of the pregnancy, release forms to speak with her doctor about the baby, anything to keep us posted in case there is a communication issue between you two. For now, we have what we need to get things started, and you're free to return to your bunk, son. Oh, and congratulations," Henrik stated.
"Thank you," I said, then saluted them before exiting the office and returning to my barrack. I was positive to be bombarded by my friends wanting to know everything about Astrid and me having a baby soon.
~End Flashback~
Thus far, only my battalion knew about me about to become a father. I told Cody, Eret, and Thuggory, then made them swear to secrecy on the matter until Astrid and I were ready to tell everyone else. Today was Christmas, and Astrid was nine weeks and five days along. I got to see my baby live; Astrid had my on Skype for the sonogram. It was terrific, and I didn't have the words to describe it. I heard the heartbeat, saw the flicker of it. I saw how big the baby was, and told that everything was in place for a perfect pregnancy. When all that was over, I admitted to Astrid that I was overly excited about this new journey we were getting to take; becoming parents. Sure, it was going to be anything but smooth with me in the Marines or her racing career, but we'd make it through somehow. I believe that we could, so I know we will.
Astrid and I planned our reveal perfectly, and we were doing it tonight when everyone went over to my place for a special surprise to everyone from me. It was the only way we could convince them to all come; saying it was a gift from me. For me, the time was about 11:30 pm, but back home I knew it was 6 pm. The best time when everyone else had finished their Christmas get-togethers and would be ready to relax. I couldn't wait for this, Astrid was going to message me on Skype when they all arrived.
=Normal POV=
Hiccup's apartment was big and had tons of space. Astrid loved it, and hopefully, everyone else would too since no one had seen it except for Stoick and Gobber, also Hiccup's Marine friends. Astrid had little snacks put out, and drinks too. Everyone began arriving around 5:45 pm, Astrid would hang coats in the closet, and have them find a place to sit down. Stoick and Gobber were first to reach the apartment, then behind them within five minutes was Snotlout and Asta; recently engaged because Snotlout proposed Christmas Eve night in front of his and her families. Throk and Ruffnut came next, followed by Astrid's parents; Garet and Asvora, and Finn not far behind. After that was Heather; who was six months pregnant, and Fishlegs, and lastly, Tuffnut, Stilsta, and their four-month-old son, Mikkel. Astrid closed the door once everyone was inside, and then she went to the laptop, which was hooked up to the big screen. Astrid smiled as she put her hands on the keys to type to Hiccup.
[Everyone is here, babe. Ready?]
Not more than a second later, a call from Hiccup camp in. Astrid accepted it, and stepped back.
~Merry Christmas!~ Hiccup announced to everyone after the connection was established, and he showed on screen.
"Merry Christmas, Hiccup!" the group called back.
"How are you, son?" Stoick asked with a smile.
~At the moment, I'm freezing my butt off. It's like thirty-degrees, and we're getting ready to head out for a ten-hour guard, so I don't have long to talk unfortunately.~ Hiccup admitted.
"You didn't have to work earlier when we talked?" Astrid blinked.
~I know. Not my fault; big fight earlier, they want eyes on everything. It's just the Lightning Squad and our dragons. I'm leading with Toothless.~ Hiccup informed.
"Well, that sucks. Be safe, will you?" Gobber reminded.
~I can only promise to try. Now, as I'm limited for time. I sent something home to everyone for the holiday. You'll have to share as there is only one to go around, but it won't be ready until July; it's still being built.~ Hiccup chuckled as Astrid clicked the minimized screen on Skype, but they could see Hiccup's face. On display was a picture of Hiccup and Astrid. On the left was Hiccup on one knee with his hands up at the edge of the photo; his background was Afghanistan while he was in full gear to be out in the field. On the right was Astrid standing, looking down with a gentle smile on her lips. However, it was now they could see Hiccup's hands were on her stomach. Now, they could tell that it was a specially taken photo to look like it was one, but really two put together like a puzzle piece.
"That's a cute picture of you two," Asvora claimed with a smile.
~I thought so, but there's someone else in the picture too..~ Hiccup stated.
Everyone looked closer but only saw Hiccup and Astrid in the photograph. Suddenly, Gobber's eyes widened as he jumped up. "Beard of Thor; I get it! The lass is pregnant!"
Their eyes widened in confusion and disbelief. "What? No. Come on. How did you get that out of their picture?" Garet motioned to the screen.
"Hiccup is kneeling with his hands out, showing to be on her stomach as she's smiling down at him. And Hiccup just said there are three people in the photo, also that our gift wasn't going to be done until July! Astrid is pregnant!" Gobber exclaimed. "I'm right, aren't I!?"
Hiccup and Astrid laughed a little. "You got it, Gobber," Astrid nodded. "Hiccup and I are having a baby; I'm pregnant,"
