Bringing Iris home had been one of the best days of their lives together, aside from when they discovered she was pregnant, to the birth of course. There was still one more big day they had to go through together: their wedding. They had been planning it since after Iris came home, to get married after she turned one and they'd be tying the knot in August-which is when they got together originally. The night Iris was brought home, it was spent passing her around carefully to everyone so they had a chance to hold her-even Stoick and Valka got to-his mother of course was overly emotional about it all and Stoick was quiet but clearly enjoying the moment to get to hold his granddaughter. It was a good night to have their little girl home, things finally felt complete to live in the apartment as a family.
With the month having been March that they brought Iris home-more fun news was that Astrid was graduating in June from Berk University, and of course she was still working. Hiccup had the band, was gonna be a bit harder with Iris but they would find a way to make it work. One solution was for Gobber to watch her, another was to hire a full time nanny to help out or watch her. A decision that Astrid and Hiccup made that night was that if Hiccup went on tour, Astrid and Iris would be going as well-because he didn't want to be away from his family. A few wedding plans were thought on but never decided because in truth they weren't sure how they wanted to do it. Big ceremony, news crew allowed to show others the event, small and private ceremony with just family and friends? They had no idea what they wanted.
After Astrid's graduation from Berk University, Hiccup and her arranged a meeting with press and news to make them aware that Astrid had given birth and they were now home with their family together. Pictures were taken of little Iris, and the family. It was a fun day to say the least. Hiccup took a day with his mother and father, that had started calm, turned into an argument about the past, then finally settled to a truce and he forgave them-allowing them back into his life without a grudge or glare. Hiccup would still always see Toothless as his brother, Gobber as a father though-they pretty much took him in when he became lead singer on Dragon's Roar, Hiccup could never abandon that or look the other way from it. Hiccup also now considered Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Snotlout, and Fishlegs as his friends-they never gave him any trouble in high school but back then-everyone just had their own social circle and Hiccup wasn't really in a circle, his was more like a small corner for one person.
Iris was doing better than ever-a thriving, smart, beautiful little girl. When she reached thirty nine weeks, she didn't need the oxygen anymore and Astrid breast fed her until she was about eight months old-then switched to bottle feeding with breast milk. Hiccup and Astrid loved her to pieces, she was definitely completed them as a pair because she was the one to bring them together. After Astrid's graduation from college is when the two young parents began to really work on their wedding plans-first one being was what type of wedding it would be. It was decided on that it'd be small and private ceremony but the party would be bigger with more people there. Next decision was easy, where it would be held. At Teddy's bar of all places, it's where Hiccup and Astrid started their journey as lovers, and seemed only fitting to start their marriage the same way. Teddy was beyond thrilled when they asked if he wouldn't mind shutting down from the public for half a day so they could get married there.
Toothless was to be Hiccup's best man, Ruffnut as Astrid's maid of honor. Iris would be a flower girl and led down by Valka in case she wasn't walking yet. There was no real theme for the wedding-it was being held in a bar, that made it interesting all it's own. The guest list was small: Hiccup, Iris, Astrid obviously and then Toothless, Gobber, Stoick, Valka, Stormfly, Meatlug, Hookfang, Hiss, Spark, Zap, Teddy, and in a turn of events-Hiccup went as far to invite Dagur, Oswald, and Signy. He liked Heather's parents even though he didn't like her-they were always good to him from the one time he met them at Heather's during the forced Christmas stay there. He didn't mind them one bit, they were good people-he still didn't understand how Heather turned out the way she did, he doubted he would ever understand where that went wrong.
Their wedding was being held August 5th, 2018-since it wouldn't have been too rushed to do it in 2017, also that Iris would still be under a year old. It gave them more than enough time for Iris to turn one and plan everything as they wanted it to be. Currently it was February 2018, Hiccup was about to turn twenty four years old, Astrid was twenty three, and Iris was a year old given her birthday was seven days before Hiccup's Today was the 5th of February. Astrid's birthday was in December on the 22nd. The wedding was officially seven months away including the month they were in, it was getting down to the wire now. A lot of things had been planned out and were ready to go, today they were celebrating Iris's first birthday and right at the happy Haddock-Hofferson household.
"Okay, do we have everything?" Astrid asked her fiancee.
"Yes, Love. We have it all now, and if we don't hurry then we will miss our own daughter's birthday party!" Hiccup insisted with a laugh. They were at the store picking up the cake, plates, utensils, and napkins. Valka and Stoick were bringing pizza. Toothless and Gobber bringing soda, Stormfly and Meatlug on chips, Hiss and Spark had entertainment with music playing, Hookfang and Zap were on other snack like items. Hiccup and Astrid made it to the checkout, paid for their items and headed to the Astrid's car so they could get home. Valka and Stoick were watching Iris at the apartment-she was finally starting to talk, simple words. Her walking was iffy, not bad just slow.
Arriving at their apartment, the others were there. "See, we didn't have to rush..." Astrid giggled, Hiccup grabbed the cake from the back and shook his head with a smile. Astrid got the bags as they went inside to see the others all there laughing and smiling.
"There ya are," Gobber chuckled some.
"Blame her, she couldn't decide on plastic utensils and napkins..." Hiccup said putting the cake in the fridge so it would stay cold, when he shut to door he saw Iris walking towards him slowly. "There's the birthday girl!" he crouched down and picked her up in his arms, she giggled and rubbed her nose to his-it was their thing, the Eskimo kisses.
"Da..Da," she said.
"That's right princess," Hiccup replied hugged her, then she reached for Astrid when she had put the things down on the counter, Astrid took her and got a big hug.
"Mama," Iris smiled-mama had been her first word, dada was second, juju was for juice, meek was milk, and na for for nana or in this case, Hiccup's mother. Tar was for Hiccup's guitar-Iris loved when he played it for her. Iris couldn't quite get the other sounds for other names yet but she was only a year old so there was plenty of time to learn more as she went.
"Well, I think it's time we get this started!" Hiccup announced happily, the decorations were already up and food laid out Today was going to be a good day for sure. An hour into it and everyone was sitting around while Astrid was on the floor with Iris was playing with her new toys while Hiccup had it recording on camera.
"So son, anything left on the wedding list to do?" Stoick asked.
"Not a lot. Astrid has her dress, I have my tuxedo. Vows are set, music is obviously all good...there isn't a seating chart, guest list done, invitations ready to be mailed, uh, officiant settled too. Cake picked and ordered. Place is picked and reserved, best man and maid of honor is set. Food is still in works-this one can't decide if she wants chicken or pasta," Hiccup motioned to Astrid.
"Well, I like both babe..." Astrid mumbled.
"Why not do Chicken Parm?" Stormfly offered.
"Yeah, then you get chicken and pasta in one..." Meatlug added afterwards.
"Huh, that...actually works. Can we do that babe?" Astrid asked looking up at Hiccup, she was sitting on the floor between his legs.
"Finally...and now that's off the list." Hiccup smiled with a nod. Astrid beamed brightly, "So, babe...did you ever end up deciding if you wanted to invite your parents?"
"They made it pretty clear they didn't want any part of me..." Astrid sighed softly.
"What happened?" Valka asked.
"Astrid's parents kicked her out when they found out she was pregnant, they haven't spoken since..." Ruffnut informed.
"That's terrible. I'm glad my parents didn't do that when I got pregnant with you, son...they actually refused to let me live with your father," Valka closed her eyes relaxing beside Stoick.
"Wait...you got pregnant with me before you two were married?" Hiccup blinked-clearly never knowing this before.
"Of course, Hiccup. Yer mother and I had you when we were a mere eighteen, you were conceived on prom night." Stoick chuckled.
"Oh cool, so I was an accident..." Hiccup mumbled rolling his eyes some.
"Unplanned yes," Stoick replied.
"I was a prom night accident, so glad I'm just finding out about it now..." he facepalmed hard with a sigh.
"When I was four months pregnant, your father and I got married at town hall and started living together when I was six months pregnant," Valka explained.
"Oh look at the time, I think we should do cake!" Toothless interjected quickly seeing that his brother wasn't thrilled to hear all the new information. Iris jumped up with an excited smile, gleam in her eyes.
"Ake, Ake!" she cheered clearly trying to say cake as Toothles scooped her into his arms. "Toof!" she said wrapping her arms around his neck.
"That's right, I am Toothless." he nodded to her.
"Too...fiss?" Iris tilted her head a bit. "Too...fiss...Toofiss!" she said all together.
"Hah! Close enough, kiddo! Proud uncle over here!" Toothless tossed her in the air a bit and she giggled happily. Hiccup and Astrid smiled wide as he got up first, then helped Astrid to her feet as they moved to the kitchen and got the cake and ice cream out. Everyone moved into the kitchen as Hiccup lit the number one candle and Iris stayed in her uncle Toothless's arms as they sang Happy Birthday to her, then with Toothless's help, she blew out the candle and there was clapping while Hiccup and Astrid served everything. Iris made a huge mess and got a bath immediately after finishing-the time then was 6pm. After cleaning everything up, little Iris crashed to sleep at 7pm and her parents put her to bed-then the rest all sat around the living room talking about more wedding plans. It was a good night indeed, and what was next for them: their wedding in seven months!
(Wedding Day)
It was finally the big day! Everything was hectic and crazy but they got everything ready and set up for Hiccup and Astrid's day. Word got out about it, news and reporters were trying to get inside to watch so Stoick had to have a few officers posted outside to keep them back and help guests get through and inside. They were set to be married at 4pm, following the ceremony was their first dance, then pictures, dinner at 5:15pm-also time for speeches while people were recovering from food intake, more dancing in between that and cake at 6:30ish. After that it would just be fun and talking. Today was going to be perfect! Everyone knew what was going on today, except the fact that nobody knew what their first dance song would be. It was their secret and tied into why they chose the bar as the venue location.
The time now was 3:45pm, everyone had arrived. Hiccup was in his place with Toothless beside him, Ruffnut was in back with Astrid helping her get ready, Valka was back there too. Everyone else was up and talking among themselves, laughing too. Hiccup just stood there and watched everything-he couldn't believe this day was finally here. He was marrying Astrid in fifteen minutes!
"Ready for this bro?" Toothless asked Hiccup with a smile.
"You know I am," Hiccup replied to him, turning slightly so they were face each other.
"You deserve it, to be this happy." Toothless remarked softly.
"I wouldn't be if it weren't for you, Toothless." Hiccup responded now.
"You did this all on your own," Toothless chuckled.
"No, I mean it, Tooth. I am this happy...because of you." Toothless arched a brow now, "You are the one who was searching bars for singers. You are the one who brought me to your Dad, the one who encouraged me to take the spot as lead singer for the band. If it weren't for joining the band, I wouldn't of met Heather, wouldn't have gone through all that and gone to this bar that night and met up with Astrid, wouldn't of had the one night stand, wouldn't of had Iris, wouldn't be standing here right now about to marry Astrid...All that leading to now...started because you found me that night, and you became my best friend-more than that...my brother. I'm standing here because of you, and you'll never know how grateful I am to you and to Gobber for all you've done for me over the years, and still consider me family..." Hiccup told him.
"We'll when ya put it like that...then yeah, I guess I am the reason you're standing here right now..." Toothless smiled, the two laughed now. "You will always be family, Hiccup and I will always be by your side," he added. The two then hugged tightly, it was a cute moment that the room had actually gotten quiet to listen in and watch happen. Hiccup and Toothless pulled out of the hug as the side door opened and Ruffnut poked her head out and gave a thumbs up to Toothless, who nodded. "Alright people, sit down and zip it. Time to start this thing," he called out.
Everyone took their seats and things began. Music playing softly as Valka exited the room with little Iris who was throwing purple and blue flower petals on the isle way. Ruffnut was out next wearing a lavender dress, sleeve and strapless. The music changed as Astrid stepped out and holding on to Gobber's arm-it was her request because he'd been so good to her since things started with Hiccup, even letting her just move into the house with them. Everyone stood up as Hiccup smiled wide with his hands in front of him while Astrid was led down the isle to him.
"Now, don't you go lettin her go again-understand me, lad?" Gobber asked as he put Astrid's hand in Hiccup's.
"Yes, sir," Hiccup nodded to him, Gobber went to sit down now. "You look gorgeous," he whispered to her as she blushed.
"Are we ready to begin?" the officiant asked. Hiccup and Astrid nodded. "Please be seated," he directed towards the guests, once everyone was down-Hiccup and Astrid faced one another as the officiant began his words. "We are gathered together on this day to witness and celebrate the marriage of Hiccup and Astrid. We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to acknowledge and strengthen a bond that already exists. This ceremony is a public affirmation of that bond and as their dearest family and friends, it is our honor and privilege to stand witness to this event. This day is made possible not only because of your love for each other, but through the grace and support of your family and friends. It is our hope that your fulfillment and joy in each other will increase with each passing year."
He took a breath now continuing, "Marriage is a commitment in life, where two people can find and bring out the very best in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal, a physical and emotional joining that has the promise of a lifetime. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes in all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."
"Seeing that no moment is without meaning, we ask that you take this marriage as a beginning of your lives together. Today signifies the creation of a new home and a new family for you both. May you be fulfilled by each others love and friendship. May you be overjoyed by the promises you are about to make and the life together you will create. Remember that in every marriage, there are good times and bad, times of joy and times of sorrow. Marriage is a journey-a time of adventure and excitement enhanced by the love, trust, dedication and faith you share in one another. You are mature enough to know the difference between dreams and realities. You have youth and hope. You also know that good times are sweeter when shared and that difficult times are less harsh when borne by two. Continue to work to build a foundation that will support the lasting relationship that is marriage. May the promises you make to one another today, be lived out to the end of your lives. Tomorrow can bring you the greatest of joys, but today is the day it all begins. Hiccup and Astrid, do you, with your family and friends as your witnesses, present yourselves willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage?" he asked.
"We do," Hiccup and Astrid replied together.
"Will you promise to care for each other in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life together?" the man asked them.
"We will," the two responded gently.
"At this time, the couple has written their own vows. Hiccup, you first?" the officiant asked.
Hiccup turned to Toothless and he handed over one ring to Hiccup with a smile, "I, Hiccup, take you Astrid, to be my lawful wedded wife. I give to you in the presence of Odin and these witnesses. My promise to stay by your side: in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad. I promise to love you without reservation. Comfort you in times of distress. Encourage you to achieve all of your goals. Laugh with you and cry with you. Grow with you in mind and spirit. Always be open and honest with you and cherish you for as long as we both shall live." Hiccup told Astrid while holding her hand with the ring for her to wear, "May this ring remind you of the promise I've made for as it has no end-neither will my love for you," he slipped it on her finger.
Toothless now reached over and handed over the ring for Astrid to put on Hiccup's finger, ""I, Astrid, take you Hiccup, to be my lawful wedded husband. I give to you in the presence of Odin and these witnesses. My promise to stay by your side: in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad. I promise to love you without reservation. Comfort you in times of distress. Encourage you to achieve all of your goals. Laugh with you and cry with you. Grow with you in mind and spirit. Always be open and honest with you and cherish you for as long as we both shall live." she smiled trying not to cry, "May this ring remind you of the promise I've made for as it has no end-neither will my love for you," she placed the ring on his finger as they connected hands again.
The officiant smiled, "Today you have pledged yourselves to a lifetime of caring for one another. May this be a commitment made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope and eternally renewed. As you stand before us, it is our hope that you will go through life loving, trusting, and caring for one another, completely and forever. Hiccup and Astrid from this moment forward you will never be alone. You will carry with you the love of another person, giving you a completeness and renewed lightness. May your life together be immersed in love and excitement. May you strive to enrich each other in every possible way. And may you work to bring the peace you find to this world."
"Having pledged their fidelity to one another, to love, honor and cherish one another in the presence of this gathering and by the authority vested in me by the constitution and the laws of this state, it is my honor to now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." the officiant said proudly, Hiccup pulled Astrid against him and kissed her deeply as the room began to clap and cheer for them. They broke it both smiling as they faced everyone now, Hiccup's arm around her waist and her arm around his. "Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to be the first to introduce you to: Mr. and Mrs. Hiccup and Astrid Haddock!" more clapping and cheering.
"And now the couple will share their first dance together," Toothless announced.
"Ready?" Astrid asked him, he nodded and looked to Hiss and Spark who understood.
"Okay, so for our first dance...we wrote ourselves a song. We chose it because this very place we're standing is where we began our journey together. This bar, over a martini for her-a soco and coke for me. We never imagined it would lead us to where we are right now having just become husband and wife, so in honor of that...we decided to write and sing something that would allow us to always remember this was only the beginning of something incredible and long lasting." Hiccup said, the music began soft and the room fell quiet.
"We were strangers, starting out on a journey. Never dreaming, what we'd have to go through. Now here we are, I'm suddenly standing...At the beginning with you..." Astrid started gently.
"No one told me I was going to find you. Unexpected, what you did to my heart. When I lost hope, you were there to remind me..." Hiccup sang after her.
"This is the start...!" they sang together while beginning to dance.
"And life is a road that I wanna keep going. Love is a river, I wanna keep flowing. Life is a road, now and forever, wonderful journey. I'll be there when the world stops turning. I'll be there when the storm is through. In the end I wanna be standing at the beginning with you..." the music softened some but the two continued to smile.
"We were strangers, on a crazy adventure." Astrid sang trying not to giggle.
"Never dreaming, how our dreams would come true," Hiccup went after her, spinning her once and bringing her back against him.
"Now here we stand, unafraid of the future...At the beginning with you!" they did together again. "And life is a road that I wanna keep going. Love is a river, I wanna keep flowing. Life is a road, now and forever, wonderful journey. I'll be there when the world stops turning. I'll be there when the storm is through. In the end I wanna be standing at the beginning with you..."
"Knew there was somebody, somewhere-like me alone in the dark. Now I know my dream will live on. I've been waiting so long! Nothing's gonna tear us apart!" Hiccup and her sang although his note held longer than hers did. "And life is a road that I wanna keep going. Love is a river, I wanna keep flowing. Life is a road, now and forever, wonderful journey. I'll be there when the world stops turning. I'll be there when the storm is through. In the end I wanna be standing at the beginning with you..."
"Yeahhh!" Hiccup sang out as Astrid smiled wider and their dancing became slower.
"Life is a road and I wanna keep going-love is a river, I wanna keep going on!" they sang together staring into each others eyes.
"Starting out on a journey..." Astrid beamed at him.
"Life is a road and I wanna keep going. Love is a river, I wanna keep flowing! In the end, I want to be standing...At the beginning...with you..." they finished slowly. The room cheered happily as Hiccup dipped her low and kissed her.
"I love you, Hiccup Haddock," Astrid breathed out.
"I love you too, Astrid Haddock," Hiccup replied as he pulled her back up. Iris rushed over to them as Hiccup picked her up and they both held her. Hiccup kissed Iris's forehead and then Astrid's, both of his girls and he was a happy man. "See, I promised that you'd be Astrid Haddock one day," he chuckled.
"And you always keep your promises," Astrid replied with a nod. "By the way, seems only fitting that since we started things here-I should let you know that we're gonna need that third room cleared out for our newest member of the family..." she smiled. Hiccup took a minute to process what she had just said: a new member of the family? Hiccup saw her hand resting on her belly, which meant she was pregnant again! Oh, this day could not possibly get any better. Hiccup kissed her deeply again. He was a blessed man indeed to have all he did, his family was his everything. This was their family-little and obviously still growing. Nevertheless, it was theirs and they loved it and would always cherish it forevermore.