Everywhere you looked it was white due to the big snow storm they had a few days ago. It was full winter in Berk with a record snow fall of at least 3 feet. Astrid had gone back home and lately was avoiding Hiccup except for school and texting about their project. Astrid refused to come over his house, they were in the wedding planning stage of their project now. The wedding was set for after the new year when they returned to school, Astrid only replied to wedding plans through text or the phone calls. Hiccup didn't understand it, they were supposed to be friends weren't they? Hiccup was starting to get upset in fact. They had a great two weeks together, and she even kissed him. Ever since then things had been like this. And that was a month ago. Awkward.
Hiccup was afraid she had figured out who he was and hated him completely but she wouldn't talk about it. Hiccup was getting ready to give up, he knew she was with her family tonight out to dinner so he wasn't going to bother her. Hiccup looked at the clock, it was 7:30pm and he was busy setting up for Christmas. He didn't know if his father was coming home, it was never known for sure. It depended if he could get a flight out in time. Christmas was a week away but he hadn't heard yet. He looked at his phone, nothing from Astrid. He sighed heavily pulling another box from the attack and bringing it in the living room near the 10 foot tree in the window.
(With Astrid)
"That was a great dinner, wasn't it. Been so long since we went out as a family." Her father said.
"Yes I agree. Hopefully we can do it more often." Astrid nodded smiling from the back seat. Astrid was deciding to text Hiccup or not, she wanted to talk about things but she was scared, mostly of herself. She felt different around him but couldn't explain it. Her mind always went back to the kiss that night after the concert. Did she like him? As more than a friend? Just as she was about to text him, Astrid saw a bright light coming through the wind shield. "DAD! Look out!" Astrid screamed, it was too late before they collided with a another car head on. Everything went black around her.
She woke up maybe 15 minutes later, she wasn't sure. She sat up and looked around as everything came in to focus. Then she remembered, the accident. Astrid looked at her parents, they were both unconscious and hurt badly, her leg was hurt and she didn't know how bad. This was a quiet road, no one else was around and she didn't see movement from the other car. Astrid fumbled with her phone and called 911 to report the accident, the said they would arrive as soon as they could. Astrid hung up and called Hiccup, she didn't know why but it was almost second nature to her.
(With Hiccup)
He was busy putting more ornaments on the tree when his phone rang, he saw it was Astrid and half contemplated not answering it but he wasn't going to be an ass right now, it was the holidays so when it reached the 3rd ring he of course answered it. "Hello?" Hiccup said, of course he knew it was her but he was kind of upset she had been avoiding him this long and decided to call now.
"Hiccup! Please...I–Accident, pain...please...please come...Need...y–you" Astrid sobbed uncontrollably. All anger was gone now and replaced with worry. It didn't matter that she'd avoided him for a month, she had been in an accident and needed him.
"Astrid, where are you? I'm coming right now." Hiccup said grabbing his keys and wallet and going to the garage to get in the truck.
"Route 5, the corner...please hurry..." Astrid cried to him.
"I'm on my way. Gimme 10 minutes." Hiccup said and hung up tossing his phone to the seat beside him and drove off. He took the truck when it snowed because it had a plow and excellent traction on the tires. Hiccup didn't understand, he was worried about her. This is not how he wanted to see her again. 10 minutes later he arrived, no ambulance there yet. Hiccup left the headlights on and rushed out to Astrid's dad's car. "Astrid!" Hiccup called to her.
"Hiccup...oh God...th–they won't wake up and I don't know if the other drivers are okay. The ambulance isn't here yet...Ah...my leg..." Astrid said quickly.
"Don't move okay. I'll check the others." Hiccup said as he ran to the other car, they were unconscious but no real damage. He ran back to Astrid now and held her in his arms, she was shivering.
"A–are they okay?" Astrid asked. Hiccup nodded as he reached for her phone on the seat which was terribly cracked and almost unusable but still dialed 911.
"Operator, what's your emergency?" Asked the voice.
"Two car wreck on Route 5. 4 unconscious. 1 awake with a possible broken leg. 2 in other car unharmed, driver and passenger in the other car unconscious with head wounds. Get someone here, now!" Hiccup ordered.
"May I ask who is calling, your name sir." Asked the operator.
"Hiccup Haddock the Third. If I don't seen ambulance in the next 5 minutes, I will have your job, am I clear!" Hiccup stated firmly.
"Sending someone now." The operator said quickly. Hiccup hung up and tossed her phone down.
"Guess being you has perks eh?" Astrid shivered again.
"It can when your dad is known everywhere...You're cold. I'm going to get the blanket out of my truck, stay here. I won't be far...I promise." Hiccup said as he left her car and ran to his truck to get a few things then rushed back. Hiccup put his sweater on her and used to blankets to cover the other adults. "Lay down..." Hiccup told her as he brought in two ski's and snapped them in half, then wrapped her leg so it couldn't move.
"Th–thanks Hiccup...I swear, I'd be dead without you..." Astrid told him. Hiccup heard sirens now.
"I told you I'm the best friend you'll ever have. Now lay still...help is coming." He said as he heard his phone ring, he saw Fishlegs calling and answered it. "Really not a good time Legs." Hiccup said.
"Hiccup, where are you! We were supposed to watch Christmas carols tonight. Tuff and I are freezing are ass's off outside your house." Fishlegs said.
"Astrid's family got in to an accident, she called me for help I'm on Route 5 right now, meet me at the hospital." Hiccup said quickly as the ambulance arrived now, why was there only one. "Stay here..." Hiccup told Astrid as he stepped out of the car. "Why would you bring only 1! I said 5 people involved." Hiccup yelled.
"The rest are on other runs, sir. This can fit 4 people..." The EMT stated softly.
"Well we have 5. Fine, take the adults. I'll take her myself..." Hiccup pointed to Astrid.
"Do you know her?...We can't just let you take a stranger in..." Asked the EMT now.
"She's my fiance', she's hurt and if you try to stop me you'll be hearing from my lawyer..." Hiccup threatened as he helped Astrid out of the back seat and then carried her bridal style to his truck and laid her in the back seat. Hiccup jumped in the driver's seat and started his truck up then backed up and turned around.
"Hiccup...you don't have to do all this..." Astrid said tiredly.
"Stay awake, Astrid...Don't you dare knock out on me...We're almost there...just keep talking to me..." Hiccup urged her.
"I–I'm sorry..." Astrid said softly.
"Sorry? About what?...You haven't done anything wrong." Hiccup told her now.
"A–about that night...at your house after...the concert..." Astrid replied looking at him, she'd never seen him so concerned. So much fear in his eyes.
"Its okay. I told you, I wasn't mad about that..." Hiccup said as he turned another corner slowly.
"So–you are mad about something then..." Astrid closed her eyes. Hiccup looked back and shook her a bit.
"Hey! No sleeping...come on, keep talking to me...Just like the night you were alone in downtown...keep talking to me..." Hiccup told her.
"W–what...are you mad about?" Astrid asked slowly.
"That you have been avoiding me since that day..." Hiccup answered her now.
"I–I'm sorry...I just...I don't know...what happened..." Astrid replied.
"It was just a kiss, Astrid...You have done it before, when we did the fake proposal. I don't see the big deal!" Hiccup sighed out as he saw the hospital in sight.
"B–but you were sleeping when I did it..." Astrid whimpered in pain.
"Where else are you hurt, Astrid. I have to know..." Hiccup asked now.
"M–my head...from the impact... and wrist..." Astrid said slowly.
"Okay, relax...stay awake. Come on...almost there..." No answer. "Astrid?...Astrid!" He called, she wasn't answering him. "Shit..." Hiccup cursed as he looked back and saw she'd knocked out. He pulled in to the hospital and parked the truck, he climbed out and carried her in his arms to the entrance. He saw Fishlegs and Tuffnut, then Ruffnut, Heather, Eret, and a few others. Eret tried to step in front of him.
"What did you do to her, Borgeson!" Eret asked, Hiccup's anger flared as he pushed past Eret knocking him over.
"Stay the hell out of my way before I fuck you up and get you put in the hospital. I don't have time for your shit right now." Hiccup warned as he ran her inside. An emergency room doctor rushed over with some nurses and a rolling bed.
"How long has she been out son?" Asked the doctor.
"Maybe 3 minutes...Please...help her...I–is she going to be okay?" Hiccup asked panting heavily.
"Yes...but we need to take her in to fix the leg and get fluids in to her. She's in good hands my boy, and you did a great job. A few minutes later and it could be a lot worse." The doctor said as they rolled Astrid away on the bed past the door.
Fishlegs ran up to him with the others now, Hiccup led them back outside and out of the way while the ambulance with the others arrived and got them inside. Hiccup leaned against the wall holding his head, obviously worried.
"Hiccup, what happened?" Heather asked quickly.
"Yeah, what's the big idea!" Snotlout remarked.
"Astrid was in a car wreck. Her parents were knocked out cold, so were the other drivers. She called me and I showed up. Ambulance only had room for 4 so I drove her myself after I put her leg in a make shift splint...I don't know, it happened so fast. I was just sitting at home getting the tree ready, as soon as she called and told me what happened I jumped in my truck and got to her..." Hiccup explained.
"Is she...going to be okay?" Ruffnut asked now.
"Doctor says she will be but we'll have to wait and see..." Hiccup sighed as he heard Eret say something to Snotlout. "And you two, get lost." Hiccup warned angrily.
"And what are you going to do to make us?" Eret asked, suddenly he jumped back seeing a small dragon on Hiccup's shoulder. "Ah, what is that?!" Eret asked.
"Hm. Oh hey, Sharpshot! Wanna do daddy a favor?...Sick em!" Hiccup grinned a bit. Sharpshot tackled Snotlout and sent him running then blew a fire ball at Eret making him run right behind Snotlout. "Good boy..." Hiccup scratched under his chin. "Now get home okay? You're not supposed to be here." Hiccup said, the dragon purred and flew off. "I'll be back, I need to call my dad..." Hiccup said as he pulled out his phone and walked away from the group of people. "Come on dad...pick up..." Hiccup whispered, he got voicemail. "Dad, hey...Look, not sure if you're in a match or traveling but...I'm at the hospital. It's not for me but a close friend of mine was in a car wreck...just I'm scared, I'm...freaking out...I'm worried for her...when you get this...call me back...Bye." Hiccup said then hung up.
"You really care about her, don't you?" Heather asked him with a soft smile.
"She's one of my best friend, of course I care..." Hiccup replied.
"You always come to her rescue." Ruffnut stated, "You care way more than just a friend." Ruffnut grinned. Hiccup pushed past them now.
"I don't need this right now." Hiccup growled a bit as he heard the door slide open and he saw the doctor behind him, he turned quickly.
"Are you, Hiccup, the boy who brought in the blonde girl? And called the ambulance about the car wreck?" The doctor asked.
"Yeah...Is everyone...okay?" Hiccup asked quickly.
"I think you better come inside with me son." The doctor said in a serious tone.
"Can we come too?" Asked Heather.
"No, just him. You can all go home, I'm sure this young lad will let you know." The doctor stated.
"Keep us updated, please...?" Heather asked. Hiccup nodded and walked in with the doctor.
(Inside the office)
"What happened? Is Astrid alright? Where is she?..." Hiccup asked quickly.
"She is fine son, resting now. Her leg is broken and in a cast as well her wrist is sprained and wrapped. You got her to us in perfect time. Its her folks I'm worried about." The doctor said now.
"W–what do you mean? They aren't...?" Hiccup couldn't even say the words.
"Its hard to tell. They both sustained very bad injuries. Right now in coma's the both of them. I tell you this much, I don't have high hopes about it." The doctor sighed taking off his glasses now.
"Can I ask...why you are telling me all this?" Hiccup asked. Normally doctors had to speak with a next of kin or family member about these matters. Why him.
"Well when you brought in Astrid, we saw the ring on her finger. And the EMT's who brought her parents and the other drivers in said you called yourself her fiance. You're her fiancé, aren't you?" The doctor asked. Hiccup quickly nodded, she still wore the ring? He didn't even care right now. "She will be allowed to go home tonight once she wakes up but she will be needed 24 hour care young man. I assume, you will be taking charge of her?" The doctor asked looking at him seriously.
"Yes, of course." Hiccup nodded again.
"Good then. I'll bring you to your fiance's room then sir." The doctor said standing up, Hiccup gave a smile and followed him to Astrid's room. "Let us know when she wakes up." The doctor said leaving Hiccup in her room with the door closed. Hiccup walked past the curtain and saw Astrid laying there, her leg in a red cast elevated slightly, her wrist wrapped in a brace, a few bandages on her face and head. Hiccup walked over to her now and pressed his head to her's carefully.
"Oh Astrid..." Hiccup sighed closing his eyes now.
"You two must really be in love. How long you been engaged?" Asked a nurse coming in to check Astrid's vitals.
"Oh, just a few months..." Hiccup lied. If he told the truth they might make him leave and he didn't want that right now.
"That's sweet. Getting married soon?" The nurse asked softly.
"A year or so..." Hiccup replied.
"Young love, so cute." The nurse giggled. "She's lucky to have such a smart man at her side. Its all over the emergency room that you drove her here yourself, ran her in with a make shift splint for her leg." The nurse smiled. "Did you keep her awake on the drive?" The nurse asked. Hiccup nodded a few times. "It saved her life you know." The nurse smiled as she opened the door to leave. "You should be very proud of yourself." Then she was gone. Hiccup looked back at Astrid, his hand moved to hers now and he stroked it lightly when he heard the door open again.
"Hiccup?" Came the deep tone of a large man standing there.
"Dad!" Hiccup said shocked as his father came through the door now. Stoick hugged him tightly now. "Not that I'm not happy to see you but, what are you doing here?" Hiccup asked him.
"I was flying in to Berk son. I wanted to surprise ya but I got your message and came right here. Your two friends told me you were in here. So what happened?" Stoick asked looking at Astrid in the bed. Hiccup plopped down in the chair.
"Astrid called me freaking out, said she'd been in an accident and needed help. I took the truck and got to her before the ambulance...Astrid was the only one still conscious. I wrapped her leg in a splint and called 911 again...they came 6 minutes later. They didn't have enough room so I drove Astrid myself..." Hiccup explained.
"Yes and the lad is a hero too. Had he not gotten her here when he did, she might not of survived. She fragments of glass in her forehead. That and he kept her awake until he got here." The doctor said as he came in now.
"I expect nothing less but greatness from a Haddock, doctor." Stoick smiled some now.
"Yes, I filled in your son about his fiance's condition. He said he will be taking her home to care for her while she recovers." The doctor smiled, Stoick arched a brow at Hiccup when the doctor said fiancé. Hiccup only shot him a look that said go with it. Stoick sighed now and nodded.
"Yes, that is fine. We have plenty of room and help for her. When will she be able to leave?" Stoick asked.
"As soon as she wakes up." The doctor smiled.
"Right. Thank you doctor." Stoick said, the doctor left. "And now you best be explaining this fiancé nonsense, Hiccup." Stoick asked him.
"Remember that school project I told you about? Its all to do with that..." Hiccup said.
"I'm listening son." Stoick said sitting back now. Hiccup sighed and began to explain everyone from start to finish for him, it took about 30 minutes.
"But after I brought her here and the doctor started telling me everything, I asked and he said because I was her fiancé so I'm allowed to know what's going on and she can come home with me...I never knew she didn't take the ring off..." Hiccup finished now. Stoick put a hand to his head now.
"I've warned ya about lying, Hiccup..." Stoick said. "But...under the circumstances of what you've told me...I'll allow this. She doesn't have any other family and her parents are comatose until further notice. She can stay with us until she heals and her parents can take over again...But, she is your responsibility son. I'm only home until after the new year. And I'm not to happy about you letting her stay at the house without tellin me." Stoick sighed firmly.
"I know...I'm sorry...its just...I didn't want her to get hurt...her parents were traveling and I didn't want her home alone after that night...I should of told you but it was crazy...and it just slipped my mind..." Hiccup told him.
"I understand son. In your shoes, I would of done the same thing. I can see that you care for this girl, that's why I'm allowing this...But I want daily updates, is that clear?" Stoick said to him. Hiccup's face lit up as he nodded quickly. The sound of groaning made Hiccup look over at Astrid who was tilting her head a bit and slowly opening her eyes.
"Hi–Hiccup?" Astrid mumbled out.
"I'm here, Astrid... Right here, see?" Hiccup said standing up so she'd see him now, his hand was on hers.
"W–what happened? I–I remember the accident...and calling you...then everything is blank." Astrid asked softly, her voice was raspy. Hiccup poured her a cup of water and helped her to sit up so she could drink it. Astrid saw Stoick now and nearly choked out on the water, her eyes widening. "I–is th–that...your?..." Astrid asked quickly.
"Yes...that is my dad. Astrid, meet Stoick Haddock. And dad, meet Astrid...my fiancé..." Hiccup introduced them.
"Pleasure to meet you, Astrid...My son has told me a lot about you." Stoick said offering his hand to hers. Astrid shook it with her good hand.
"You too, wait...fiancé?" Astrid asked.
"Just...play along. I'll explain later on. Dad, can you get the doctor and let them know Astrid is awake..." Hiccup asked softly. Stoick nodded and left the room.
"Hiccup, tell me what's going on...I'm so confused..." Astrid asked him.
"Promise you won't freak out?" Hiccup asked her. Astrid nodded.
"Okay. After you called me. I showed up and made sure you were okay, then check your parents and the other drivers. The other drivers were fine just knocked out, your parents were injured. The ambulance couldn't carry everyone so I took you myself. You passed out and the doctors took you right in. Your wrist is sprained, your leg is broken...and your parents are both in a coma...Doctor only told me everything because they saw the ring and assumed I was your fiancé. Also...until your parents wake up and heal...you're staying with me again. My dad already said it was okay...Cool with you?" Hiccup explained quickly. Astrid's eyes blinked a few times then she opened her mouth to freak out, "You promised not to freak out, Astrid..." Hiccup reminded her, she sighed.
"Okay, okay...I can handle this...So let me get this right...You brought me here, my parents are in a coma, and I have to live with you...why?" Astrid asked him.
"Broken leg...sprained wrist...going to need help maybe. Doctor's orders. You are going to need 24 hour care and since I'm such a good friend...and they think I'm your fiancé...I offered to do it." Hiccup told her.
"Okay..." Astrid said to him.
"Wait, you're...not going to argue with me?" Hiccup asked arching a brow. "I think you might still have a concussion..." Hiccup said a little shocked.
"Very funny, Haddock. I'm in my right mind right now...You're right...I can't exactly do this myself...I wouldn't trust anyone else with my life with how many times you've saved it now...So I won't argue about it..." Astrid told him with a smile. Hiccup felt his forehead.
"Am I sick? Or have I gone insane finally..." Hiccup asked.
"Haha. Shut up...When can we leave?" Astrid asked now.
"The doctor is getting your discharge papers right now lass." Stoick said entering the room.
"Thank Thor..." Astrid sat back now closing her eyes. 10 minutes later the doctor returned, Hiccup signed the papers and Astrid was given a wheel chair, a pair of crutches, and some pain killers. The doctor said he wanted to see her in 3 weeks time to check on her leg and wrist. Hiccup wheeled her out to his truck and helped her get in.
"I'll see you at home dad." Hiccup called to his father, it was nearly 10pm now as Hiccup started driving with all Astrid's stuff in the back of the truck. He was being careful of the snow and the ride was mostly silent.
"Must be nice having your father home again...when's the last time you saw him?" Astrid asked.
"How long did you avoid me?" Hiccup asked calmly.
"Uh...6 weeks?" Astrid stated.
"Then 10 weeks ago when he came home for the weekend before we were assigned the project." Hiccup replied.
'Do you get lonely?" Astrid asked gently.
"Not really. I keep myself busy..." Hiccup turned on to his street and pulled up to the house.
"So the room I was using was upstairs...How is this going to work? You gonna carry me up and down the stairs?" Astrid asked him.
"No, we're staying in the in law unit actually. Two rooms remember and its first floor. Easier for you." Hiccup told her.
"I don't think I've ever been in there before...Is you're dad okay with me staying there?" Astrid asked.
"My dad doesn't care what I do as long as it's not illegal. Besides, I'm staying with you in here." Hiccup turned pulled around back the house to the small house on the side. It sat maybe 10 feet from the main house and had its own one car garage. Hiccup pulled in and turned the truck off. Hiccup got her wheel chair out, then opened her door and picked her up, placing her in it. He pushed her up the ramp and unlocked the door, he flipped on the light and pushed Astrid inside. "Welcome to your new residence for the next 10-12 weeks or if your parents recover faster." Hiccup said to her. Astrid's eyes widened seeing the small in law unit as Hiccup pushed her inside. She couldn't believe how beautiful it was and she got to stay here for about 3 months? With just Hiccup? This would be interesting indeed.
