=Normal POV=
(Saturday, 8/4/18; 9:45 am)
(Berk, Archia Isle)
(The Great Hall)
The next morning came quickly, having Hector and Astrid up at 9:00 am and scrambling to shower and be ready for the inspection by their mothers to ensure the deed was done and the marriage was legal. The room wasn't in disarray, but they two cleaned up their clothes from last night, which had been left wherever tossed during their consummation. The bags were packed and by the door waiting for when they left and checked out of the room. Hector had let Astrid shower before him, but it wasn't in time before the knocks came by their moms to be let in.
"I swear if you two don't open this door right now, I'll-," Came Angela's voice. Hector went to open it, seeing Angela and his mom. "About time. We agreed at 9:30," She added.
"We overslept, Mom. Get over it, we're only teenagers and had a long day…" Astrid remarked. "We'll meet you downstairs," She huffed. "Coming, Hector?"
"Right behind you," Hector grabbed their bags and followed his wife out. "You know we're gonna catch shit for leaving before given permission, right?"
"Do I look like I care?" Astrid inquired. Hector shook his head. "Then you shouldn't either. This whole thing is stupid…" She growled out. Hector inwardly sighed, and just stayed quiet as they got to the lobby and checked out, turning in their room key. Hector and Astrid exited the hotel and found a limo waiting with their fathers in it. Hector let Astrid in first, and then himself.
"Where are your mothers?" Marcus asked.
"Still upstairs doing their inspection," Astrid folded her arms.
"You're supposed to wait for them to confirm-," Spencer began.
"Oh, so our word isn't good enough?" Hector commented. "We had a long day and night, and we already got scolded for not waking up on time and being ready exactly at 9:30 am…That should say something about the events of last night. But whatever…" He copied Astrid's stance. Nothing else was said as they waited for Angela and Vivian to return.
Finally, the mothers got into the limousine and sat down. "Was the deed done?" Marcus asked the women.
"We don't know," Vivian informed. "There was no blood on the sheets."
"So either Astrid wasn't a virgin, or they didn't do it," Angela stated.
"Are you kidding me?!" Astrid raged, but Hector stayed sitting down.
"Hey, easy…We talked about this already. I'll take care of it," Hector promised as Astrid sighed in anger and looked out the window, arms still folded. "There was no blood on the sheets because we put a towel down to avoid ruining them. They were expensive, high-end sheets that didn't need to be destroyed or replaced," Hector explained. "We had left the towel out when we were in the bathroom getting ready for your arrival, but housekeeping came by and collected everything. That was not our fault,"
"Regardless of your good intention to not ruin the sheets, the blood serves as the-," Vivian started as Hector had his phone out and turned the screen towards the adults, and they saw Astrid laying on the bed, covering her upper half with the blankets, still a heavy-breathing and high on orgasm mess.
"Hector…Put that away!" Astrid whined.
"It's only for the record, babe. Given how things have been said as constant reminders of how imperative this marriage is to the company merge, we should ensure that there is live proof we did our part in making the marriage legal." Hector told her as the camera moved down to Astrid's lower half, where her womanhood was covered, but it was easy to see the blood between her legs and also on the towel that Hector claimed had been put down to save the sheets. The camera shifted as Astrid sat up and yanked Hector down onto her, the camera refocused to show them making out, and then both turned their heads to the camera, smiling. "Proof enough?"
Astrid cuddled up to Hector in bed with a yawn. "Goodnight!" The two waved and then the video ended as Hector lowered the device.
"If you need more, I'm sure I have a shot of the bloody condom in the garbage can too." Hector sassed.
"No!" The four parents shouted.
"Then will ya stop questioning everything in your over judgmental way about this stupid tradition and call it confirmed or verified that Hector and I fucked last night?" Astrid retorted coldly.
"Fine. Fine…With the evidence provided, the marriage is legalized." Angela stated with a sigh.
"I thought I had mentioned no protection," Spencer said.
"Oh, you did…I just didn't listen, Dad." Hector replied. "Protection used or not is up to the couple, not the parents. Legality for the marriage doesn't ride on if we screwed with a condom or not, just that we had sex. I've got enough going on in my life already, I will not be throwing a child into the mix."
"Hector and I both know the traditions of parents arranging marriages; it was always set for the date at which could ensure women would be fertile to conceive," Astrid remarked. "Hector knew you'd take condoms out of his overnight bag if you saw them when moving things to the shared room, so he kept one in his wallet, which was on him. I'm not looking to get pregnant at seventeen and still in high school!"
"Now, can we just drop this and head to breakfast to talk about the living situation?" Hector asked.
Not wanting to argue with their annoyed children, Marcus gave the driver the okay to leave the hotel grounds and go to the diner. The ride was silent as the Haddock and Hofferson parents didn't want to cause another fight. The marriage was done, finalized, and legal. All Hector and Astrid wanted now were to figure out what happened next in their newly unified lives.
. . .
=Astrid's POV=
(Sunday, 8/4/18-10:15 am)
(Mead Diner)
When Hector grabbed his phone last night and pointed it at me, I hadn't a clue what he was doing. I'd been ready to pound him on the assumption that he was going to record the moment that we finished having sex and I was still in my orgasmic state. However, Hector told me before he turned the video on that he knew their mothers would make an issue out of no blood on the sheets, so he was showing the blood from my hymen being broken on the insides of my thighs and on the towel. And this morning, he took a shot of the slightly bloodied condom that sat in the bin beside the bed. I couldn't deny that Hector was smart and he did think of all possible issues and viable solutions. Sure enough, our mothers got snippy because we didn't answer the door at exactly 9:30 am, and they tried to pull that either I wasn't pure or Hector and I didn't have sex. I didn't like Hector showing the video, but it saved us some trouble. I was sure there was some ridiculous method for them to ensure the marriage was legalized, and I just didn't want to know what would have happened if our parents believed we didn't do it and needed to. I wouldn't admit to Hector how nervous I was when we got intimate last night, but I was. I gave the man permission to take me, and in return, he repaid that trust in him in full by being careful, slow, and gentle.
As much as I hated this forced marriage situation, I can confess that I will never forget last night, and I won't regret it. I could not have even dreamed of a better, more perfect, first time. Now, we've just arrived at the diner for breakfast and were seated in the back for privacy as there would be discussions regarding mine and Hector's living situation as a married couple. We already knew that this marriage was binding, legally, and the cemented base of the merged contract. There were other factors, but the union of Hector and I represent the security of the integration between the companies. It meant we couldn't break up or divorce, or the contract dissolved with it, and the effects would be devastating on the families and businesses. I was told this by my mother, I wasn't sure what Hector was told; my mother told me that divorce was not an option for all those reasons, and also that there had never been a divorce in the Hofferson family. A lot was on my shoulders, but from last night, it sounded like a lot was on Hector's too. I hoped that this morning's talk would fill in some blanks for me.
Our waitress already took the drink order and gave us a little time with the menus to decide on breakfast. When the waitress returned with drinks, which was mostly coffee, but Hector got orange juice and I got hot chocolate. With breakfast orders in, the table was silent for a moment, but then my father cleared his throat and I guess that meant we were going to start the discussion regarding living arrangements.
"Now, with everything finalized, I believe we need to figure out a living arrangement," Marcus stated.
"Well, tradition shows that the newlyweds would have gone to their new house to consummate the marriage after the wedding celebrations were over," Vivian informed.
"Yes, but while we took from our ancestors and used an arranged marriage between our children to ally companies and unify our families, it is quite clear that given the time constraints of two months to plan the wedding…Building a house was simply not practical." Spencer reminded his wife.
"And it wouldn't be practical for the kids to live with either of us," Angela added.
"That narrows the choice that Hector and Astrid will have to live on their own in either an apartment or house," Marcus mentioned.
"The question is which," Spencer looked to the adults.
"Can I just point out that Hector and I are still only teenagers?" I interjected. "Neither of us has the money to buy a house, no credit to apply for a loan and to that, not legally allowed to while seventeen," I told our parents. "I have a part-time job, but it's only waitressing and just a few shifts a week."
"Astrid makes a good point," Hector agreed. "I have a job that I've worked for years now, but it wouldn't be enough to support a household. It's more than a mortgage, there'd be utilities, property tax, car, home, and health insurance. Car payments. Furnishing the place, and then food too." He listed the examples of things we'd have to pay.
"And none of regular monthly or weekly bills can account for if something breaks or needs replacing. Such as hot water heater, roof, and other problems that could pop up with the cars…" I added to Hector's argument.
"And let's also not forget that working full time is out of the question because Astrid and I start our senior year in a month…" Hector reminded.
"Okay, a house is out," Vivian said as the other three nodded in agreement. "What about an apartment?"
"Could be cheaper, less house-related expenses," Marcus shrugged.
"But we're still only seventeen, and wouldn't be permitted to get a place as minors. Even being we're married and traditions centuries ago said a married couple lives on their own." Hector reiterated my statement before about our ages being a factor. "I don't turn eighteen until the end of February 2019, and Astrid, not until April."
"Perhaps we could put an apartment in our names, work something with the landlord about the situation and make it so the kids live there?" Angela offered.
"Hm, that's an idea. We'd have to find a suitable place as well," Spencer nodded.
"Well, it's just them. Not like we'll be expecting a grandchild any time in the next year or so." Vivian added. Hector and I both rolled our eyes at the comment.
"So, a one-bedroom should be fine. After they finish school and start working full time, then perhaps they can get something bigger or buy a house," Marcus suggested.
"Well, Hector will be changing jobs in March because that is when we agreed I'd start his training to take over my company. Sometimes work will need to be done at home, so perhaps a one-bedroom with office space?" Spencer mentioned.
"I'm sure we can find something." Angela smiled.
Breakfast came and each person received the plate and the six began eating. "We should probably discuss a rent limit along with bill averages with the totals of Hector and Astrid's check amounts to begin the apartment searching. We don't want to spend too much time on all this as it could become overwhelming to move them when school starts," Marcus suggested after everyone had some food in them.
"Well, do you kids know what you make after takes every week on average?" Vivian questioned.
Hector and I began to tell them our normal work hours for the week and what we made. I was still surprised that Hector was apparently taking over the company, this meant he'd be leading things after high school and as the merge was happening. Hector informed that during the summer, usually, he worked about five or six days a week. This happened on school vacations too. I typically only worked four to five hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. During vacations, it could be a little more. Hector provided the amounts he already paid for his bills: his phone, car, car's insurance, weekly gas, and the school's parking pass fee. I was surprised to hear all that Hector paid on his own. My parents paid my car insurance, but I didn't have a car payment. And they paid for my phone too. Once these payments got mentioned, I already figured out that with Hector and I married now, I'd have to pay my own bills. Hector and I understood we'd have to get health insurance for ourselves, as being married cut us from our parents'. We went over what Hector and I already had in savings too. My dad said we were doing all this now to avoid it being overwhelming when school started? I'm already overwhelmed.
Eventually, breakfast ended with a lot of information marked down to run numbers later on. Hector and I exchanged phone numbers, and other methods of contact before leaving the diner. The limo dropped my family off at our house first, and then it left to take the Haddock's home. My father and Spencer were immediately back to talking once home, in their offices and browsing for apartments with help from their wives. I immediately grabbed a shower once home, then laid on my bed messaging Heather a bit; she wanted details on everything and I couldn't deny her, but wouldn't go into too much. All I could do now was wait for news about the living situation; I was sure it wouldn't be long until Hector and I were told that everything was settled, and Hector and I would be moving out of our family homes to start living together.
. . .
=Hector's POV=
(Monday, 8/13/18; 12:30 pm)
(Glenn's Garage)
It's been 10 days since I've seen Astrid, but we texted and instant messaged at random. Most of it was checking in if either of our parents had talked about the apartment situation. We had agreed that out of public eyes, we would act like roommates and only speak when necessary. I was also busy working as much as I could to put money away, I knew it was my husbandly duty to take care of my wife and me and I knew between us that I made more money. I've seen my friends one or two times, the rest was just keeping in contact over the phone and a few video calls. Right now, I'm currently at work. My unofficial uncle's shop, Glenn's Garage. He had to run out to do some stuff and only trusts me to handle things when he's out, I'm the only other person with a key and I'm basically the manager or assistant at best. Glenn called me at 8 am and asked if I'd come in a bit earlier. I had nothing else to do, so I said okay. I was originally supposed to work from 2 pm till 9 pm. Well, it was more like 9:30 after closing stuff.
I was working on a car right now that needs a few things done when I heard my earpiece ringing. They were my Bluetooth headphones and I was listening to music on low, in case anyone else needed something. Glenn left me in charge of the business, it's not like I didn't know everything. I tapped the button as it connected. "Glenn's Garage. How can I help you?" I answered, in work mode because the receptionist wasn't here and I had the landline hooked to my suit too.
"I thought I dialed Hector, not the garage…" I heard my father's voice.
I sighed. "It's me, Dad. Sorry, I'm in work mode. What's up, little busy at the moment." I asked him.
"Busy? You didn't have work till 2, I thought?" Dad mentioned.
"Uncle Glenn needed me earlier, so I've been here since 9:30 this morning…And likely gonna be here until 9:30 tonight. Now, I'm currently working with an engine and need my focus on what I'm doing so I don't end up electrocuted…So what did you call for?" I stated.
"What have I told you about working those long hours! You're only seventeen! That's illegal to work a teenager that much!" My mother screeched.
I rolled my eyes. "Ma, don't start…We're following the law…Mostly. I work my legal eight hours on the books…And then the other four off of them, and paid under the table," I heard her sigh out, mumbling about calling Glenn. "Leave him alone, he's not even here. I'm watching the shop myself with the other mechanics. And where do you get off talking about only being seventeen when you went and sold your seventeen your old son in an arranged marriage to secure your company merge contract with Mr. Hofferson's company. Your fallback response is that in Viking times, alliances happened all the time through marriage. So to use the same, Viking kids were expected to have a full-time job, as it were, as early as thirteen years old. So don't start with me right now…" I retorted coldly. "I told you…I'm not gonna let it go, and I'm not gonna forgive it either. Now…For the third time…What do you want?"
"For starters…You're on a conference call with your in-laws…" Dad mumbled.
"That literally doesn't change a thing I said," I retorted.
"Babe," I hear Astrid speak up now. "Our…Parents might have found us a place, and a landlord willing to work with the arrangement. He's invited us all to come to see it in person, meet you and me as the potential tenants. We were calling to see if you could meet us there for thirty or so minutes?" She asked gently. Of course, a married couple in public, or in this case, with our families.
"Thank you, Milady, for being straightforward in the reason. See, Dad? All ya had to do was tell me right out. What time?" I inquired.
"When are you free?" Astrid wondered. "The guy will be there until 2:00 today." She said.
"Text me the address and I will meet you there in an hour. Thanks for the update, I gotta go. See you later." I pressed the button and ended the call, then music took over again as I sighed. Shaking my head, I refocused and got back working.
. . .
(1:45 pm)
(Apartment)
I, unfortunately, got behind with repairs but Glenn got back at 1:20, and I was able to clean up and leave for my hour lunch. I located the address and headed for the location that Astrid sent me shortly after we got off the phone. I parked along the curb and got out finding my parents, in-laws, and wife waiting.
"Sorry," I told them, Astrid came right to my side and I set a light kiss on her cheek.
"You made it before two, so it's all okay." Astrid comforted. A man exited the apartment, it looked this was a complex of small cottages to me. But I'm sure our parents wouldn't have summoned us to see it, so it must meet their criteria or whatever. The man approached me and offered his hand, I took and shook it a few times.
"You must be Hector," The male pointed out with a smile as I nodded to him. "I'm Carter Grayson, owner of Berkian Complex," He introduced.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Grayson. I'm sure you've already met my parents, in-laws, and beautiful wife," I stated, smiling, as I caught Astrid blush a bit from the corner of my eye.
"Yes, yes. Wonderful people." Carter replied. "And I understand the entire situation going on, it's fine with me. I believe the newer-age laws say that even if you are seventeen, but had parental permission to marry, you are considered an adult and permitted to live beyond your parents' home with your spouse," he added in. "So, would you like to take a tour?"
"Yes, please. That would be lovely," Angela smiled.
"I think we can handle seeing the apartment ourselves," Astrid told the parents and I wanted to grin that she basically just told them they didn't need to see it with us. Carter said it outright that we were considered adults as a married couple and didn't need them to get our own place.
"I agree," I added in. Carter chuckled some and I appreciated that he did. "Your lead, Mr. Grayson?" I said. Carter led us to the main entrance and then inside past the door.
About twenty minutes later, Astrid and I had seen everything. We decided together, shockingly, that it was perfect for just us and potentially big enough to have family and friends over sometimes. Carter had explained that his brother had been managing the property for him until last year when he was deployed and killed overseas. This apartment was like a cottage over the rest of the small buildings holding twelve apartments each within them. The place Astrid and I chose was separated from the rest as it belonged to Carter's brother, Cody, so it acted as his home and the main office. Carter reassured that no one would be coming here for problems, though, he let his other tenants know and everyone could still contact him or the maintenance crew. And Carter would come around on the 1st to collect rents that were either check or cash, but there was a bank transfer option available. Living in our own place, Astrid and I could also have bills in our name, not our parents'. With all the information, Astrid and I chose to take the apartment. We were both itching to get out of our parents' homes because of the laid-on heavy teachings of how to be a good partner in a marriage.
"So, what do you think?" Carter inquired. We'd been shown the one room and office space. There was obviously a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. There was a small patio and a limit of the yard they could call theirs. Carter had it marked off what was his, and what went to the other tenants but told us a fence was going in among the updates as he was turning it into a rentable unit.
"I think it's great," I replied.
"I love the openness of the layout," Astrid mentioned with a smile. "It's perfect,"
"Well, it's a hot item right now," Carter chuckled. "A lot of people have come to see it since I listed it a week ago, and several applications put in," He paused. "But if you want it, I'm happy to sign the lease to you and your wife right now. I won't make you fill out an application," Carter said.
I was surprised at his generosity. "But why not make us do what others have?" I decided to ask.
"I owe a favor from when you helped my wife, and tutored my daughter," Carter informed as I tilted my head while we got outside where the parents were waiting. "My wife, Michelle, had been broken down in the middle of the road and of all the people who drove by her, you're the only one who stopped to help her push it off to the side of the road and then called your uncle's garage to get a tow-truck out to her. You took her the rest of the way to work and later when at work, fixed the car yourself and then took it to her at work, no charge. And my daughter, Briana, you tutored her the whole second half of last year in all her subjects," He explained as I remembered now and nodded. "So, in thanks, if you want it; it's yours. And I'll throw in the bonus of signing the lease and giving you the keys now. No security deposit and the first month's rent can be for September. How's that sound?"
I looked at Astrid now. "What do you think, babe?" She smiled and nodded yes to me, approving the idea. "We'll take it, Mr. Grayson. And thank you,"
Carter beamed with delight as he got the lease forms from his car's front seat and brought them over. We quickly went over the rent price, and what was included. We were allowed to have pets, and there was no garage, but plenty of room in the driveway and other open spaces in the lot. Astrid and I signed the lease, then Carter did. He grabbed the two keys to the main entrance, and then one extra for the office space. We set things up to go through bank transfer, but I'd press the button when the day to pay came each month We shook hands with Carter, and then took our copy of the lease and said goodbye to the man after he told us we could start moving in whenever we were ready. I gave Astrid her key as I kept the other, along with the office one. I said goodbye to them as I needed to get back to work and told Astrid we'd talk about the move throughout the day or tomorrow as I had it off.
As I got on the road to get back to the garage, I sighed in relief that a place had been found and was now, ours, to rent. I couldn't wait to move out of mom and dad's house, but I knew that this was only the start of what was sure to be a challenging situation of marriage to Astrid, learning how to be a CEO, managing an apartment, and going to high school. I guess the only thing I could do was try the best I was able.
