=Normal POV=
(Monday, 12/16/19-3:00 pm)
(Berk)
(Haddock Apartment)

It had been three days since Astrid was grabbed outside the company and knocked out. Astrid didn't know who had don't it, but she left work at 6:00 pm, and got to her car. Someone came up behind and placed a cloth over her mouth. There was little struggle before she succumbed to the fumes and went unconscious. Astrid awake in a cold, damp basement with her arms and legs bound. Astrid only struggled a bit, but she didn't want to harm her baby, so she waited patiently. Astrid was given normal meals, and told by a masked man with an accent that if she behaved and didn't attack him, she'd be left unharmed. Astrid wouldn't risk her child, and agreed. The man let her go so she could eat, and there was a bathroom too. Astrid had a air mattress with a sheet, blanket, and pillow. The basement had no windows, and the only way out was a door upstairs that was kept locked. But as a precautionary measure, the man kept her leg shackled with enough length for her to use the bathroom and reach her bed. Astrid wanted to see Hector, but she knew that this person wanted Hector to give up his company for her. That was the exchange, but the guy hadn't told Hector yet, so she was just captive.

Hector was a mess, he wasn't working right now and only took care of things that were absolutely necessary. All his focus was on staying as much in the investigation as he could to find Astrid. His friends and family were over every day for support and keep him from doing something foolish like try to get to Astrid himself.

"Has there been anything, son?" Vivian wondered.

"If there was, do you think I'd just be sitting here staring at my phone waiting on any calls to tell me something?" Hector remarked.

"Easy, Hector…We're all worried," Drew rubbed his shoulder. "I'm sure she's okay."

"You don't know that and it's not just her I'm worried about…" Hector mumbled.

"What do you mean by that?" Evan asked.

Before Hector could say anything, his phone wrong and it came up a restricted caller. Hector grabbed his phone. "You're supposed to wait for police with calls, so they can trace it," Angel argued.

"I don't care. If it's the person who took Astrid trying to call and make negotiations to get her back, I ain't waiting for them." Hector remarked and stepped off to the side before pressing answer. "Hello?" He asked. "This is Hector Haddock, who are you?" He pushed. "I won't consider anything until I talk to Astrid. I want to know she's okay, from her. Not you." Police officers came into the apartment, and Hector had them stay quiet, and he put it on speaker.

"Hector?" Came Astrid's voice.

"Astrid…Are you alright? Is everything okay?" Hector asked.

"I'm alright and everything is…Okay, I guess. Really tired and not feeling great. But I'm…Being fed, and…Somewhat comfortable." Astrid told him.

"Good…I'm glad. Just hang tight. I promise I'll bring you home safely…" Hector reassured.

"I believe and trust you, Hector…I love you." Astrid said.

"I love you too. Okay, now give that asshole the phone back…" Hector told her. The phone was handed off. "Now, what do you want from me?"

"Your company and everything tied to it. I'll give you twenty-four hours to think about it. Your company, or your wife. That's your decision. Should you refuse, I'll kill her." The call ended.

Hector sighed, pulling the phone down to search for another contact. "Who are you calling now?" Spencer asked.

"The company lawyer to draw up transfer paperwork. What else would I be doing? The demands were made." Hector stated.

"Hector, no!" Marcus told him.

"Did you just tell me no? No to giving up the company…For your daughter's life?" Hector narrowed his eyes.

"Hector, we built that place from the ground up! Separately at first, then togeth-," Spencer began.

"YEAH. I FUCKING KNOW!" Hector yelled at them. "Your goddamn companies that you sold your kids into marriage in order to merge them together. I friggin remember how much the company means to you. But in case you fucking forgot…I OWN IT. I'm am both the owner and the CEO. It's not your fucking call to make. And I will never put that stupid company over their lives. Maybe you don't care, which has been blatantly apparent since last year, but I do." He said coldly. A business means more to you than a person's life? Family? That's pathetic and sad." The room was silent. "I never wanted to run that company in the first place. It means nothing to me, I only did it to shove it in your faces that you fucked up with your selfishness. If it means saving Astrid and getting her home, hells fucking yes, I'm giving it up. I'll wrap the transfer documents into a bow and hand it to him personally. It's not too late for me to go to college and be an engineer, like I wanted. But all I care about right now, is saving my wife and child!" Hector glared.

"Child?" Heather asked softly.

"Yes…Astrid is pregnant. Eight weeks and three days today. That's what the whole thing on Friday was for…We were getting everyone together to announce that Astrid is pregnant and we're having a baby." Hector told them. "Now, with that out…I'm calling the lawyer to set this up so when the ass calls tomorrow; I'm ready." He stepped away.

. . .

(Tuesday, 12/17/19; 2:30 pm)
(The City)
(Unknown Location)

Selena Grisly parked out front with her red convertible and walked up the path to a one-story home. Selena knocked twice and tried the bell. "Dad!" She called. After trying a few more times, she eventually sighed. "Probably forgot about our lunch plans," She located the spare key and got inside the home, quickly disarming the security system. Selena made her way to the kitchen to grab a drink while writing out a message to her father about waiting for him. However, she heard banging and decided to investigate the home. "Hello?" She called out. More banging as Selena found the source coming from the basement. Selena saw how locked up it was, and banged on the door. "Is someone down there?!"

Astrid heard yelling above and got as close to the stairs as she could. "Yes! Help, please?!"

Selena heard the female voice and quickly located tools to help her get the chains and locks off the door. Finding an axe, Selena began chopping away at the door until she cleared a place to get through and get downstairs. And she was totally shocked by who she saw. "Astrid?"

"Selena?" Astrid asked.

"What are you doing in my dad's basement?" Selena asked.

"Your dad kidnapped me from work, and is threatening to kill me if Hector doesn't sign over Dreki-Viking Enterprise to him. Not that Hector knows who took me, your dad held a gun on me so I wouldn't tip Hector off." Astrid explained.

"My father was going on and on about getting me everything I wanted, when he knows I didn't want to force Hector's hand to have him become partners with my dad," Selena sighed.

"What?" Astrid blinked.

"I'll explain later…Let's get you out of here," Selena searched around and eventually went into her purse to get a bobby pin to pick the lock on Astrid's ankle chain until it clicked open. "Are you alright?"

"I think so, I just…Want to get to Hector or the hospital to make sure the baby is okay," Astrid said.

"I'll get you to the hospital, and we can call Hector once you're there," Selena offered and Astrid nodded in agreement. As the two were making their way out, footsteps were on the stairs and it was Giovanni Grisly.

"Selena, my dear…What are you doing?" Giovanni asked.

"Helping Astrid get to the hospital and you're getting out of the way," Selena glared. "How dare you do this to Astrid, and Hector! I told you I didn't want this. For Odin's sake, Dad…She's pregnant! And you're keeping her in such a dirty, cold place. All for what? Money?!" She remarked. "Get out of the way!" Selena adjusted to get a small gun from her purse and point it at him.

"Now, Selena…" Giovanni tried.

"I said, move…" Selena warned. Giovanni moved aside as Selena helped Astrid to the stairs. "Go on…I'll call the police," Selena got her phone and dialed the authorities. "Hi, yes. My name is Selena Grisly. Address is 4379 South Hunter Drive, Archian City. I am calling to report I've found Astrid Haddock at my father's home, and he is the one who kidnapped her. Giovanni Grisly." Selena informed. "I'll stay on the line until police come,"

It was about ten minutes later when police arrived and apprehended Giovanni. Selena proved she had a permit for the gun, and how she found Astrid in the basement. After all said and done, Selena got Astrid into her car and took her to Arc General Hospital.

. . .

(3:30 pm)
(Berk)
(Haddock Apartment)

"Hector, calm down…" Drew tried. Hector was beginning to panic as it was thirty minutes over the twenty-four hour mark and the kidnapper hadn't called yet. This made Hector worried something happened to Astrid.

"Don't tell me to calm down when my wife could be hurt because of this asshole…I won't calm down til I know she and the baby are alright," Hector commented, bowing his head and praying. In the silence, the phone rang, and Hector saw Selena calling. He sighed. "Selena, now is really not a good time…" Hector said when he answered it and put it on speakerphone.

"Hector, I have Astrid with me. I'll explain more when you get here, we're at the hospital." Selena informed.

"What hospital?" Hector stood, heading for the backyard to get Toothless.

"Arc General. We're already back in the emergency department. I'll let them know you're coming and I'll stay with Astrid until you arrive." Selena said.

"Got it, I'll be there in less than ten minutes." Hector said and hung up.

"That was Selena…Your old hookup?" Evan questioned.

"Yeah. Look, I don't know what happened…But she has Astrid and they're at the hospital. I'm gonna head there and see what's up. I'll keep you posted." Hector said.

"How do you know this isn't a trick?" Heather tried.

"Because before the arranged marriage Selena and I really cared for one another. And she's the only one who didn't give me a hard time when the arrangement ended because Astrid and I wanted to be together. She supported it and wanted me to be happy. I trust her." Hector remarked, then got on Toothless and darted for the city. Once more, Drew got everyone to leave under the reasoning that Hector would let them know soon how Astrid was.

. . .

(3:45 pm)
(The City)
(Arc General Hospital, ER)

Hector got to the hospital and checked in with a nurse, who led him straight back to Astrid's room.

"Astrid!" Hector immediately went to her side and hugged her tightly, kissing her afterward. "Are you alright? Is the baby okay?"

"Hector…" Astrid sighed in relief. "We're okay. Doctor said the baby is fine and I'm just a little dehydrated. And there's a couple marks from the ropes and chain," Astrid explained lightly. "It was thanks to Selena, she found me in the basement."

"What happened?" Hector asked now looking at Selena.

The doctor come in. "Hello there, I'm just coming to take Astrid for a few more tests before we send her home," The male informed.

"I'll be okay. You can talk to Selena, she knows everything. I'll be right back," Astrid promised as she was soon taken out by wheelchair.

"First off, I owe you…" Hector said.

"My dad was behind this Hector. He was mad you wouldn't sign partnership with him, and he wanted to kill Astrid to have you marry me. I told him I was against the whole thing, but he ended up kidnapping Astrid and wanted to force you to give up the company for her," Selena stated. "He's been arrested. I went over to his house for a lunch date, and he wasn't there. But Astrid was banging around in the basement. I set her free and held a gun on my dad to keep him there until cops arrived. And then I brought Astrid here," She informed.

"I'm glad she's alright. I scolded dad, and also will be taking over his company. If you still want to partner. I promise I won't throw an arranged marriage on you," Selena smiled.

"We'll talk about it once everything settles with all this," Hector promised.

It wasn't much longer until Astrid returned and Hector had to explain to her while waiting for discharge that he had to tell everyone she was pregnant. Astrid understood, but was furious with how her father and father in law acted over the company being traded for her. Obviously, it didn't happen, but the fact they were willing to try and trick this guy and risk her life was maddening. Astrid was discharged by 5:00 pm and Selena said goodbye to them before leaving.

. . .

(5:30 pm)
(Berk)
(Haddock Apartment)

Hector helped Astrid into the apartment after putting Toothless away in the stable, and Hector set Astrid on the couch, then took a seat beside her. "I'm so grateful you're okay…" Hector held her hands.

"I'm happy to be home, and that our baby is okay…" Astrid leaned into him. "Were you really ready to leave the company to him?"

"The company is just something my parents tied me to," Hector told her, staring in her blue eyes. Neither one of them realized people were coming into the house through the open door Hector forgot to shot.

"Really?" Astrid asked.

"No. It's not what I wanted to do after high school, nor during, for that that matter. I wanted to be an Engineer. Computer and Mechanical. I didn't want to be spending my life behind the desk, approving and seeing all the things; I rather be designing the ones being seen. Hell, I'd have taken the auto shop the rest of my life. Glenn was ready make me co-owner," Hector explained. "All that aside," He got smiled. "I hated the company for a lot of reasons, Astrid. I hated I basically grew up without a father because he was never around. I hated seeing the disappointment in my mom's eyes when dad promised he'd show up to one of my science fairs, but didn't because a meeting ran over. I hated that dad forced me to work under him, and that was our only father-son bonding. I hated that we got forced into an arranged marriage, at first," Astrid smiled softly. "But I swear to you, that company is not what I want. It's not worth more than your life. It's not worth more than our child's. And when that asshole gave me the ultimatum to give up that wretched place for you…I was happy. It gave me an out. Astrid there was not an ounce of hesitation when Giovanni told me what I wanted. As soon as he hung up. I was calling the lawyer to get to documents for transfer."

"You did?..." Astrid had tears in her eyes.

"The one thing about getting forced into this marriage that was great, Milady, is that I got a second chance with you. And I got to fall in love you all over again. Only to realize the last four days you've been gone is that I never stopped love you, Astrid. And I promise that I will love you the rest of our lives." Astrid cried a little. "So no, that company doesn't mean anything to me. You do. This baby does. And all I want is you, me, and our growing family. And something else I realized, very quickly after our fathers made a big deal over losing that company instead of worrying for you, I'm eighteen. You're eighteen. We're married. Living on our own. And starting a family. I don't need their consent to do what I want to do. So while you were getting tests done…I did a few things." Hector smiled.

"What did you do?" Astrid wondered.

"Hector pulled put the documents from his jacket pocket and showed them to Astrid as she gasped. "A-Are those the transfer documents?" Rylee asked.

"That they are. Selena is a very old, and dear friend of mine. She's smart and she knows how the business works. She wants that job. So I signed it over to her." Hector revealed.

"You did what?!" Spencer and Marcus nearly cried.

"I am still owner of the company, I left it in the family. But Selena is running it, merged with her father's company. And her father, is behind bars. I still get 50% of all financials, and work as a silent partner. Starting next Monday, I'm working for Glenn again. Also, as his co-owner to the shop. On top of that…Next September, I'm going to college. To be an engineer. The best part is I do everything online except for once I week, I go to the university to see the end of the lesson and do the physical portion. Also, any of the tests." Hector informed.

"Hector!" Spencer scolded.

"You can hush," Hector retorted.

"But son-," Spencer tried.

"I said…Hush. I'm not a minor anymore. I'm not living under your roof. You can't tell me what do anymore. I told you from the beginning, I hated this. I put up with it all this time…Until yesterday when you were willing to sacrifice Astrid and our unborn child, for that fucking company of yours. The company blew off your family for. The company you forced your only children to get married for. The company you lost because you couldn't step back for five minutes and see everything in play. You lost that company the day I graduated High School, and carelessly signed everything over to me. So I make the decisions of it's future. I didn't give it up, I'm just stepping back to enjoy my life. Selena will run it as CEO, and I will run it from the shadows as the owner and silent partner. It's in good hands." Hector remarked. "I'm doing what I wanna do. Making it so I can be home for my wife and kids, doing the job I want to do and living my life the way I want to."

"He's right, Spencer. Hector is right about this, and has been about everything since this started over a year ago," Vivian put her hand on Spencer's shoulder. "Hector asked us back then if we cared at all for his happiness, asked us to prove we love him. We've failed all this time because all Hector wanted us to do was let him live his own life and support his choices. We can do that now…" Vivian explained.

"They're right, my friend. Hector didn't just give the company away, it's still in the family and he's running it from the side. He's happy…Be happy for him, support him. It's all he's ever wanted. You were warned…All four of you were, that if you came at them again, they'd write you out. This is where you make that decision. Will you stand with them, or against?" Glenn spoke up.

"I'm tired of fighting with them. My son-in-law has a temper, but he's been patient and fair since the beginning. Doing everything asked of and forced upon…" Angela sighed. "I want to be part of their lives, and our grandchildren's," She added.

"I understand Hector's side of things, as once the wife of a husband that wasn't home often or unable to be places he promised…I support Hector's choice to be there for Astrid and his children, also work the job he wants." Vivian agreed.

"What's say you two?" Glenn remarked, moving near Hector, because it was obvious Glenn was on his side.

"It's…Not what we planned, Spencer…But things are going the way they should be. We've been fools, stuck in anger that Hector would let us fix the ownership bits, which was our own fault. He's doing right by his family, I can't be upset with him for that. And I was so blinded by anger I caused myself, I let that company override my family. Nothing means more to me than family." Marcus said. "I choose to let them be happy, and support them."

"I guess you're right. I'm sorry, son. And to you as well, Astrid. I hope you'll forgive this old man and his stubbornness," Spencer hoped. "I just want the two of ya to be happy,"

"Forgiven," Hector said.

"I forgive you both too," Astrid agreed.

"Alright…Now, I believe we learned yesterday that Astrid is having a baby…We should celebrate with that party that got put off for a few days!" Cassandra announced.

"Party on," Hector and Astrid said before sharing a kiss and then heading to get out the chips, soda, crackers, dip, cheese, soupy, and main dishes. It was going to be a great night, celebrating that Astrid was pregnant and they were becoming parents in seven months.