It felt like hours they were in that room before the doctors had to take Astrid's mother's body out of the room. Hiccup and Astrid's dad had to hold Astrid back from chasing after them, demanding they bring her back because she wasn't dead. It was the first stage of mourning. Denial. Though both of them hated it, they had to watch Astrid be sedated in order to calm her down, they held her down on the extra bed as she slowly calmed down and fell asleep. The doctors said it would have her out for 2 hours at least. Hiccup and Astrid's father sat in the room watching her for a few minutes in utter silence before the man cleared his throat. "So you're the young man who has been taking care of my little girl..." He began.
"Y–yes, Mr. Hofferson..." Hiccup replied in a low tone. He wasn't hateful to the man, but Hiccup knew this pain well and it was like living through it all over again.
"My wife...mentioned you being Astrid's project partner...I apologize we have to meet on such painful days. I am Calder Hofferson..." The man introduced offering his hand to Hiccup.
"Hiccup Haddock...Yeah, we've been working together all year...Sir, I am very sorry for your loss...I–I know how it feels..." Hiccup stated feeling a tightening in his chest again. "I–I lost my mother when I was 7 years old...Cancer took her from me and my dad..." Hiccup bit back not wanting to cry again.
"She's been sick all her life..." Calder said suddenly making Hiccup look over at him now. Astrid's mom had been sick all her life? Why didn't Astrid ever say anything to him? "Asta, my wife. She was always around to help people being a doctor herself. She hid the sickness well, even from Astrid. Asta had cancer too, I knew she wouldn't survive much longer. The coma must of pushed her all the way. The doctors estimated maybe another year, which she accepted because she at least would get to see Astrid graduate. Asta wasn't expected to live this long, when I first got with her in high school. They told her she wouldn't live to see 20 years old but she fought and fought, we got married right after high school and she gave me Astrid..." Calder stated.
"I–I understand sir but...why are you telling me all this?" Hiccup asked him curiously.
"Like you said, you understand this pain...I saw how you reacted hearing Asta had passed away, and how fast you came to the room when Astrid screamed out. You're in love with my daughter, aren't you boy?" Calder asked. Hiccup's eyes widened a bit and Calder almost chuckled. "I thought so. She's going to need help to get through this lad. You know this pain, having lost your mother to cancer and at such a young age. I would like for you to help Astrid...please?" Calder asked him. Hiccup couldn't believe what he was hearing from this man's mouth. Her own father, asking for him to help Astrid?!
"S–sir...I..." He was cut off by Calder putting up a hand.
"Please, call me Calder." He said.
"Okay...Calder...The only reason I got through it...was because I had my father...A–Astrid is going to need you more than anything..." Hiccup protested.
"She will lad, but she'll need you too. This...I knew this was coming, I've prepared for it for many a years, Hiccup. It does hurt that the moment I woke up from the coma, and I see her how she was. But as I was wheeled to her bed side, I saw the smile on her face as she squeezed my hand. She told me it was time, she told me she loved Astrid and I, then whispered a goodbye before the monitor flat lined. They tried to bring her back but it was useless...Hiccup. I can see how much you love my daughter, and I know she has been well taken care of by you these last few months. The doctor has told me that every time she came to visit, it was with you. Yes, I am aware you two have been referring to yourselves as engaged so they'd let you take her with you that night. I am grateful to you son..." Calder laughed slightly.
"I do love her, more than anything in the world...There isn't a thing I wouldn't do for her." Hiccup said calmly.
"Exactly. You've been there for her the last few months. Holding her hand, letting her cry on your shoulder, making sure she makes her doctor appointments, helping her with school...I owe a great deal to you for it all. She will need all of that again...and I cannot do it myself." Calder told him.
"Sir, she's been living with me for a month...W–we had to act engaged and living together for the hospital to let me care for her...and it's all because she never takes off that fake engagement ring..." Hiccup stated.
"Hiccup, listen to me. Once I am cleared to leave, and the funeral is over...I will have to return to work...I won't be able to be there for Astrid as much as she needs me too...But you're her 'fiancé'..." Calder pointed out. Hiccup sighed, he couldn't believe this was the talk they were having right now on the day his wife just died.
"Calder...it's only for project reasons we use that..." Hiccup stated.
"And what better way to add more to the project than something like this? For better or for worse, yes?" Calder said.
"Calder this is very different, I appreciate you want my help in this but...I've been here before...She's not going to want anyone around her, she'll push me away, yell at me, scream at me to leave her alone...All this going on, we're not even going to be able to finish the project. The next step in it is the wedding in two weeks...She'll never go for it." Hiccup stated with his head down. Calder put his hand on Hiccup's shoulder.
"She'll want you around, you just won't see it. You'll have to make her see it. Astrid is very stubborn, son. You know the mourning process, how to grieve...Astrid will need that and she knows you lost your mom, yes?" Hiccup nodded to him. "Then make her understand. Astrid won't realize it until its forced upon her to listen...Something tells me, you know exactly how to get her to do that." Calder said. "I know my daughter, Hiccup. She's going to hide everything she's feeling and try to act alright. She'll cry when she's alone. She'll tell you to leave her alone but all she wants is to be held close and told it will be okay. She'll tell you she's fine but you have to make her tell you what's on her mind..." Calder added.
"I just...don't think this is my place sir...Of course I'll be there as her boyfriend but..." Hiccup trailed off.
"Your place, Hiccup is at Astrid's side." Came another voice. Hiccup turned quickly to see his father there.
"D–dad!" Hiccup exclaimed. "W–what are you doing...here?" Hiccup asked walking over to him.
"Fishlegs called me after you told him what had happened. I had in fact just gotten back in to town so I came right here." Stoick stated. "Calder my old friend. I am sorry for your loss..." Stoick said as Hiccup watched the two men shake hands and hug.
"Wait, you two know one another?" Hiccup asked.
"Of course! You're dad and I go way back. We were high school friends. When he started his wrestling career in school and we lost touch when he hit the big leagues. I knew Astrid was safe with you those two weeks because she told us who you were the son of. I had no worries and I still don't." Calder smiled.
"What...are you saying?..." Hiccup asked him now.
"Hiccup, I want Astrid to stay with you. I don't want her coming back to the house, she'll just be miserable...She's happy with you. Isn't that what you said, Stoick?" Calder asked.
"Aye, I did Calder. She never stops smiling around Hiccup and I have no objections to this idea either son. Astrid is goin to need you most of all. And we both know after graduation you two are probably going to live with one another...Calder and I both think this is what is best for Astrid..." Stoick said. Hiccup's eyes widened a bit.
"Yo–you're being serious right now...?" Hiccup asked. They both nodded. "Fine but it's Astrid's choice...I promised her I would never force her to do anything she didn't want to and that is not a promise I'll break." Hiccup stated.
"Spoke like a true Haddock my boy. Now why don't you go sit with your friends for a while, we'll let you know when she wakes up...Besides, Calder and I have some catching up to do." Stoick said. Hiccup nodded as he stepped out of the room and found his friends near the vending machines and waiting area.
"Hiccup!" Heather and Ruffnut exclaimed as they rushed up to him now. "Where's Astrid? Is she okay?" Ruffnut asked.
"She's sedated right now...There wasn't much choice, she wouldn't calm down...It's going to be hard for her to get through this. Her dad just specifically asked me to make sure she got past this, he even wants her to continue to live with me..." Hiccup sighed out.
"That's not a bad thing...? If anyone knows how to get past this, it's you, Hiccup." Fishlegs said to him.
"I guess so but the timing is terrible...the project, the 'wedding'...all the other stuff going on! It's to much...I'm only 17, not a miracle man!" Hiccup plopped down in the chair with a hand on his head and eyes closed now.
"The teachers will understand Hiccup..." Tuffnut told him.
"We've already pushed it back once because of the accident...They said we couldn't do it again. Astrid is going to be in no shape for this, even if it is just acting...When I lost my mom...I locked myself in my room for weeks, only dad was allowed to bring me food and I'd sneak out at night to shower and cry alone. I was 7 guys...7 and I shut down completely. This is...so different." Hiccup sighed out.
"Her mom died, Hiccup. They will understand...And while we're on the subject...I want to take this chance to say I'm sorry to you for all those times I gave you shit concerning your mom...I had no right to do it and I'm sure she was a wonderful woman seeing how you turned out." Eret told him.
"Thanks, Eret..." Hiccup said to him.
"Your dad and Calder are right though, Astrid is going to need you. You're the only one she'll listen to, you'll make her but you'll do it in a way she can't possibly be mad at." Heather said.
"And we'll help any way we can." Snotlout told him with a nod.
"Thanks guys, seriously. I'd be lost without you or her." Hiccup said now a nurse came out.
"Mr. Haddock? You're being asked for in room 302..." Hiccup got up and faced them.
"You guys should be getting home. I'll call with updates..." Hiccup said to then. They nodded and hugged him then left. Hiccup followed the nurse back in to Astrid's room, she was starting to wake up.
"I have to get more tests done and your father is coming with me. Can you sit with her?" Calder asked him.
"Of course..." Hiccup replied, the two men walked out with the nurse now. Hiccup sat in the chair by Astrid's bed as she groaned a bit. Guess it only had an effect for about an hour. Hiccup watched as she slowly opened her eyes and looked around.
"Oh my head feels like I was hit with a hammer..." Astrid mumbled as Hiccup stood up so she could see him now, he held her hand. "W–what happened?...Where am I..." She trailed off a bit remembering everything, she sat up quickly looking for something. "Where's my dad!" Astrid said quickly beginning to panic again.
"Astrid, hey. Ssh listen...your dad had to go get more tests done so he can be cleared to go home. Don't worry, my dad is with him..." Hiccup told her gently. Astrid's eyes filled with tears again, Hiccup only hugged her tightly.
"M–my mom is...Oh god my mom is dead! She's gone, Hiccup..." The sobbing started instantly against his chest. The nurses poked their heads in to check on her but Hiccup shooed them away.
"Ssh I know..I know, Astrid. The doctor told me...I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." Hiccup said to her lovingly as he stroked her back up and down comfortingly.
"What am I going to do...Oh God!...This isn't happening...it's not! Just..it's not..." She repeated over and over again banging against his chest. Hiccup didn't care, he could take a few punches from her. He understood what she was feeling right now.
"We're going to take it one day at a time, okay babe. One day at a time. We'll go as slow as we need too..." Hiccup whispered to her. Her sobbing continued, but not as loud as before. 20 minutes later, Hiccup had crawled in the bed with her and she was asleep in his arms as Calder and Stoick returned.
"Did she wake up?" Calder whispered softly. Hiccup nodded once to him.
"How is she doing?" Stoick asked now.
"She remembered as soon as she woke up, started crying instantly. After 15 minutes she fell back asleep in my arms..." Hiccup replied as she moved a bit in his arms but stayed asleep.
"See, I knew he was the man for the job." Calder chuckled. Hiccup rolled his eyes and closed them as Stoick nodded.
"We should see about the doctor discharging you, Calder. Hiccup, may want to wake her up slowly." Stoick said to him, Hiccup nodded as the two men left again. Hiccup slowly kissed her forehead and gave her a little shake. She mumbled and opened her eyes.
"Hey, you're dad is getting discharged...we're going home soon." Hiccup told her gently.
"T–to your house?" Astrid asked quietly.
"Of course, that is where we live..." Hiccup reminded her.
"Oh god, Hiccup...I–I can't stay there now...my dad is going to need me...and I..." Calder returned now and shook his head.
"No, Astrid." Calder said. Astrid sat right up now.
"B–but daddy..." Astrid said quickly as Calder hugged her tightly when the tears formed in her eyes.
"Baby, listen to daddy okay...Now I know that you've been with Hiccup for the last few months and I also know you two are a couple now thanks to Stoick informing me...I remember how you got when Uncle Finn died a few years ago...You wouldn't let anyone near you. But today...you're letting Hiccup be near you, in his arms. You feel safe with him, he's like a security blanket for you. I know you love him and even in pain from losing your mother, you won't push him away from you. You know he understand the pain you're feeling...I won't be able to always be there for you, but he will where I can't. I don't want you coming back to the house right now, its to soon for you. I want you to stay with Hiccup at his house. Stoick and I already talked about it. He's planning on take a some time off to help me out." Calder said.
"That's right, Astrid. I'm taking some personal time. The whole company is for a few months. All the wrestlers want some time with their families. We do this every year, take a few months and regroup when it gets warmer." Stoick nodded.
"After the funeral, Astrid I'm going to have to go back to work. And you know I travel a lot...I don't want you by yourself going through this without someone there for you. I know you're upset baby, believe me I am too but we can't let it ruin our lives...You know that. Your mom wouldn't want that for us. You still have to finish school, and go out to be the worlds best dragon trainer right? And hey, I'll be here for your wedding in two weeks right, first week in February you two are getting play married? That warms my heart, even if it is just a school one." Calder chuckled slightly.
"I–I just don't understand...why did...you wake up and live but...mom didn't? How come she didn't survive...I'm so confused..." Astrid whimpered a bit. Calder looked at Hiccup now, he sighed.
"Mom was hurt more than the doctors first diagnosed. It's not their fault, Astrid. There is no blame here. Remember what I've always told you? Whatever happens..." Calder began.
"Happens for a reason...I remember...Its just...so unfair..." Astrid cried lightly. Hiccup frowned, why was Calder lying to her? Asta had died from cancer, she gave up. Astrid had no idea about it and deserved to know. But it wasn't his place to state the truth, he knew Calder must have a good reason behind it.
"Be a good girl and stay at Hiccup's okay? I promise I will come see you every day. Can you do that for daddy?" Calder asked. Astrid nodded softly to him. Hiccup sighed in relief now. The doctor entered now going over Calder's chart.
"Well Mr. Hofferson, aside from some remaining bruises. I think you're free to go. But your daughter on the other hand, I'm concerned about the out burst before...That type of behavior is associated with trauma based suicide. I'd like to keep her over night on a suicide watch..." The doctor stated. Calder was about to state something when Hiccup got off the bed and stood up with a firm look in his eyes..
"She just lost her mother, back the hell off. I lost my mother when I was 7 years old, I didn't need a suicide watch. I needed time and to be surrounded by people who cared about me. If you think you're holding her here for a stupid 48 hour suicide watch, you got another thing coming doc..." Hiccup warned in a cold tone.
"O–of course sir. It was only...a suggestion. We worry for her well being is all...It's our job to ensure her safety. We do have the power to hold someone if we feel they are a danger to others of themselves." The doctor fumbled for his words.
"It wasn't a suggestion. You out right said you wanted to keep her here. How much do you think it will affect her emotionally having to stay in a place like this. Shielded from everyone she loves in isolation? That will push her to do something to herself! And I can promise you doc, if such a thing were to happen to her...You'd regret it dearly. Her outburst was due to losing her mother, any human would react in such a way. I'm appalled that this wouldn't be your first thought as a medical professional. I'm her damn fiancé. I know her better than anyone. I will worry about her well being. If I feel she's a threat to herself or others, I'll let you know. Its MY job to ensure her safety. As a matter of fact, given that both her father and myself are here, we make her medical choices. Not you! You can fuck off. Sign the papers to discharge my future father in law, if you'd be so kind doctor. I'd like to take my family home. If there is a problem, I'll call my lawyer." Hiccup stated reaching for his phone.
"No! No! That won't...be necessary sir. I'll get the paperwork ready right now. Sorry to of upset you, Mr. Haddock. Please accept my sincerest apologies..." The doctor then rushed off out the door as Hiccup crossed his arms over his chest leaving Astrid, Calder and his own father in complete shock.
"What?" Hiccup asked looking at them now. He didn't understand why the looks of sheer confusion on their faces.
"And this is why I'm absolutely confident you're in good hands with Hiccup, Astrid." Calder finally said blinking a bit.
"I couldn't agree more. Using that Haddock pull, aren't ya son?" Stoick chuckled now patting him on the back.
"Actually, I don't believe I once used pull being a Haddock once in that statement. I simply stated the truth. Putting Astrid in isolation would make her far worse. And also the fact her dad was here, he could of said no being Astrid is still a minor and me as her 'fiance' can legally say no as well. Astrid isn't a threat to herself, are you babe?" Hiccup asked as he kissed her cheek.
"N–no...I'm hurting and upset but...god no, I'd never do something like that to myself..." Astrid replied. Hiccup just went above and beyond the call of duty to keep her out of the hospital, a second time. The first was after the accident, keeping the fiance act going outside of the school project terms of their engagement in order to ensure her safety, just as he'd stated moments ago to the doctor.
"See?" Hiccup stated.
"You threatened him with the lawyer son..." Stoick added.
"Because if they ever caused her to hurt herself over their stupid opinion. I'd sue." Hiccup stated.
"But you..used it that night at the accident too...When the ambulance said I'd have to wait for another one to arrive since I was the only one awake..." Astrid pointed out, "And threatened to get the poor dispatcher's job taken away if there wasn't an ambulance at the crash site in 5 minutes." Astrid added. Calder blinked slightly again looking at Hiccup now.
"Ugh, can we save the questions for later, please?" Hiccup asked as the doctor returned holding the clipboard out to Hiccup.
"One is to release your fiance, and the other is for your father in law, sir...Again, so sorry." The doctor stated. Hiccup handed one paper to Calder, and then Hiccup signed his name on the one for Astrid. Who the hell was going to find out the truth that they weren't really engaged? Beside that, Hiccup had every intention to marry her so technically, it wasn't a lie.
"Don't let it happen again. Good evening, sir." Hiccup stated as he pushed the clipboard back in to the doctor's arms and moved beside Astrid to help her off the bed. Her legs felt like jell-o so Hiccup picked her up bridal style and carried her outside, Stoick and Calder simply followed. Hiccup got Astrid in the truck and then they drove him. Stoick took Calder to the house too. When they got there, Calder got to see the in law unit where Astrid had been staying. He was going to stay for dinner, Astrid only wanted to go to her room for a while. No one blamed or stopped her. Hiccup sat with his father, and Calder now as dinner cooked. He was about to start explaining the project, the night of the accident, when he and Astrid got together. Since Calder had missed it all, it was going to be a long night.
