Thirty Four: You Are Cordially Invited…

Four Months Later…

"I can't believe we're doing this," Hiccup said for the fiftieth time, pacing back and forth anxiously. They were at the 'Nadderview Royal Towers Hotel' in Berk, preparing for the party in the Great Hall where they were planning the Big Reveal. Of course, they had needed to give extreme specifications to the twins, who had been overjoyed to be awarded the opportunity to do the decorations and had promised on each others' lives to achieve 'Elegant and Celebratory' rather than 'Purple Neo-Viking with added Shark'. And they were definitely on their best behaviour because there were guests coming from all over the Archipelago.

Astrid and Hiccup's Party was the Event of the year, because everyone was expecting an announcement of the date of their wedding-an irony that had the young couple laughing. Neither had told anyone except those present at their wedding what had happened. Astrid had been adamant that her parents couldn't be told after her father's announcement at her mother's party so she was also looking forward to the Reveal to them as well. All of the Valkyries and their partners were coming, along with Johann Trayder, the owner, the Chief Coach, Eidur Harildssen, the physios Agnes and Helena and even Elsa Larssen from the Airport with her daughter, Mathildur. And of course, everyone from Berk, including all of Astrid's family, Stoick, Gobber, the team from Berk Aero, the twins, Snotlout, Fishlegs, Gobber, Dagur and Astrid's High School Soccer Coach, Mr Mulch.

"Calm down-it will be fine," Astrid reassured him, seeing him begin to panic. He glanced up and took a sigh, still pacing.

"Yeah-well, no one will blame you for us getting married in secret," he reminded her. "No matter what happens, it's always my fault."

"You did break off our relationship to protect me," she reminded him. "But even I didn't expect the amount of hostility that our fellow Berkians showed to you…until Bella tried to kill you and you saved my life…"

"And thank you for saving me, Milady," he said, trying to smile as she rose to walk to his side, taking his hands.

"Breathe," she reminded him, rubbing the backs of his hands with her thumbs. "Remember what we discussed in therapy, babe. We are strong together and you are stronger than anyone." He dipped his head.

"Sometimes, it doesn't feel like that," he murmured. She raised a hand to rest against his cheek, staring deep into the emerald eyes. They had worked hard together to address the lingering damage from Bella's actions, working with the same therapist who had helped Dagur deal with his traumas. Hiccup had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression and as he finally realised that Bella wouldn't be coming back-especially with her seventeen year prison sentence, his mind had tried to process everything that had happened. And Astrid had needed to take time out of the team to help her new (but secret) husband ride through the worst. Hiccup had insisted that they also had relationship counselling to ensure that Astrid understood to respect him and his feelings and address her actions after the Awards Dinner, which had almost broken him. And though she had been reluctant initially to address her actions, she had come out with a much stronger bond to her husband and a greater emotional intelligence and ability to communicate. But as Hiccup struggled, she had insisted that someone trustworthy stayed with Hiccup when she wasn't around-Heather and Dagur had been the obvious choices but Fishlegs and the twins had also stepped up…which was how they came to learn where she lived. Though all had been sworn to secrecy and promised never to tell Snotlout.

"I know," she assured him, giving him the time to regain control of his emotions. Panic attacks were a problem but he was determined as well, the stubborn bone-headed Viking she had known as a boy and he was adamant that he wouldn't let Bella ruin his life or govern him now he was free. He looked up.

"Do you regret shackling yourself to all…this?" he asked softly, his eyes searching hers and she smiled.

"Not for a second-and I never will," she reminded him. "My career won't last for ever. An injury could end it next week-and I have no college or degree to fall back on. And I know when I stop playing, I'm going to be miserable and I will need my brave, sassy, fabulous husband to remind me why he loves me and that I'm not useless…" His arms wrapped around her and she snuggled into his chest, closing her eyes and listening to his heartbeat as he nuzzled into her hair.

"Astrid, you couldn't be useless if you tried," he told her gently.

"I could if I wanted to…" she protested, looking up playfully. "But best not…" She stretched up and kissed him. "We're going to be late…" He stole a quick kiss.

"You, Milady, are a spoilsport…" he pointed out as she pulled away and checked her make-up. Her beauty enhanced only by dusting of gold eyeshadow, the merest flick of blusher and pink lipstick that to Hiccup's eyes made her infinitely kissable, she was the most gorgeous woman on Midgard. A new Autumn/Winter Team Astrid dress-this time a deep navy blue full length with high neck, no arms and a darling cutaway back, the hem swirling around her ankles and a pair of navy and silver heels. A matching purse completed the outfit-with long drop sapphire earrings and a simple white gold chain with a sapphire ouroboros. Her shining golden hair was braided over her left shoulder, an accessory braid crowning her before diving into the main braid.

"And you're too sassy," she reminded him, looking up at him happily. He was in the deep charcoal slim-fit suit with a deep emerald silk open-neck shirt, his smile lighting his face. Fleeting images of a new 'Team Hiccup' line flashed across her imagination and she pushed them aside-there was time enough for that later.

"Well, I do have the best date," he reminded her.

"Me too," she smirked as she took his hand. "Just wait a moment, okay?" His eyebrows shot up and he nodded. Briskly, she went to her case and pulled out a black leather presentation case, wrapped with a big red ribbon and bow. "For you," she told him unnecessarily as he cautiously accepted it.

"I didn't get you anything," he protested but she smiled.

"I owe you these, my love," she told him as he rested the box on the table, untied the ribbon and opened the box. And gasped.

Within, in the velvet moulded slots, was a complete set of ceramic dragons, perfect in every way. His eyes widened in shock and his breath hitched as he realised there were two Night Furies…one perfect and the other painstakingly glued back together from the hundreds of pieces it had been smashed into. It was his original statuette, the little gift from his Mom he had thought lost forever.

"Um…I got Fishlegs to piece it back together-I hope you didn't mind-and I had Heather and Dagur scouring auctions and sales across the Archipelago and the Nordic World to give you your collection back," she admitted. "I know you still have the pieces of the other dragons and may want to put them back together yourself but I wanted you to have your Mom's dragon and the rest…" Her voice stuttered to a halt. "You hate it. Sorry…" He looked up, his eyes shimmering with tears and he shook his head, a smile lighting his face. In a second, he had her in his arms, hugging her fiercely and then kissing her urgently.

"No, no, no," he murmured. "I love them. This is…too much. It's…"

"These are the last casualties of our deception, the most precious things Bella destroyed…"

"Apart from me…nearly…" Hiccup suggested. She smiled.

"Apart from you," she acknowledged, kissing him again. "But I wanted you to have them back. I was looking for them before you broke it off because I felt so guilty about what had happened. I mean, you and I spend ages looking for them in all those yard sales…" He pressed his lips to her forehead.

"I guess I was so upset because of the memories," he admitted. "The Night Fury from Mom…and of course, all the time I spent with my best friend, getting the rest." He kissed her again. "Thanks, Astrid. I love them."

"Oh, thank Thor," she sighed as she stared into his eyes, finally lit with happiness. "Ready?"

"No," he answered honestly. "But this has gotta be done. No more secrets."

Cami was once again in her tux and smart trousers with her wild hair tamed and the shades making her look more like a presidential bodyguard than a normally-grungy chauffeuse. Winter had arrived in the Archipelago and the streets were already rimed with frost as they glided up the hill to the Great Hall. Astrid had grabbed a navy cashmere shawl while Hiccup had thrown on the green Haddock tartan scarf his father had bought him, refusing designer in favour of Dad. But the venue was already rammed when they pulled up, the Paparazzi jostling for position as the golden couple emerged, holding hands, Astrid's gloves carefully concealing her rings. They both dutifully smiled and waved for the cameras before diving into the Hall and gratefully relaxing. After parking the car, Cami joined them and they immediately found Heather and Dagur, greeting them happily.

The next few minutes were a flurry of greetings, hugs and kisses and manly handshakes as they welcomed everyone. The twins and Fishlegs were hugely excited, guessing what was to come and Hiccup had to admit, 'Eugene and Laverne' had outdone themselves. The glittering decorations were elegant and slightly playful, with a few black cats, aeroplanes and football motifs sneaked in among the gold and green and shark-free decor. The tables for the sit down meal were all beautifully dressed in white and gold and plentiful wine and water was set on them all. A small jazz trio were playing discreetly in the background as the couple hugged their families and Stoick self-consciously kissed Astrid on the cheek, blushing as she kissed him back. Astrid's parents just hugged Hiccup, so glad that they were together and happy knowing the couple were buying a place on Berk so they could spend more time amongst kith and kin.

Of course, Snotlout had been huffy and outraged that Hiccup was still with Astrid, still clinging to the futile belief that one morning, Astrid would wake up and suddenly 'see sense'…and date him. And as the couple know that was never ever going to happen, they felt few qualms in firmly putting him in his place. Not even his parents had sympathy for him as they recognised how happy the young couple were together.

Trays of canapés were doing the rounds-including brie and cranberry filos, mini-asparagus and cheese quiches, mini 'toad in the holes', chorizo and machego bites, tempura prawns, mini duck hoi sin spring rolls, cocktail vegetable samosas and mini pizzas and Snotlout instead tried to deal with his disappointment and frustration by stuffing his face-but Hiccup had factored that in and had trays of canapés just there for Snotlout so that everyone could enjoy the treats. The waiters were also circulating with trays of drinks-alcoholic and soft-and Hiccup delicately grasped a couple of flutes of Louis Roederer Cristal Brut before handing one to Astrid, who instantly turned back to him.

"Thanks, babe," she murmured, tinging her glass against his. "You ready?" He took a large sip and swallowed then nodded.

"Let's get this over with," he said. Smiling, they walked up to the traditional dais and the microphones set up there. Tapping the microphone, he looked across the room. "Um…is this on?" he asked as they all turned to him. But this time, the room was full of friendly faces, of people he cared for and he smiled, feeling Astrid's hand brush against his. "Wow-that's a lot of people…" he commented.

"We sent out a lot of invitations," she reminded him with a smile, looking over the staff from the club-from the kit men to the groundsmen who had all been invited. Anders the security man was grinning wildly and munching a handful of cocktail sausages as he waved. But Hiccup was searching for a specific face-and found her.

"Welcome!" he announced. "I want to thank you all for coming and sharing our party with us today. It's amazing to see so many familiar faces and old and new friends. I hope you all got here safely?" There were laughs.

"It's been a very successful year for the Team and I," Astrid continued, smiling at the sea of expectant faces. "The Valkyries have managed an unprecedented Triple-the League, the Archipelago Cup and as of two weeks ago, the Champion's League!"

There were cheers and the room erupted in excitement. The Valkyries had played Lyon in a thrilling final, winning 4-3 in extra time to take the title for the first time. It had been the proudest moment of Astrid's career as she had lifted the cup and had celebrated with her team-mates-but as soon as she had handed the cup over to Ulrika, she had run to the stands and embraced Hiccup, making sure he came down and was included in the celebrations. She had learned from her mistakes and had realised that sharing her joy with the person she loved made it ten times better.

"And personally, it has also been the best year of my life," she announced, her eyes trailing lovingly to the man at her side.

"Best year of your life so far!" her father shouted excitedly. She face-palmed.

"Dad," she groaned.

"For me as well, this has been an interesting year," Hiccup continued. "I started with Bella, in a relationship I felt trapped in with someone who used and abused me for her own gain. But when I ran into Astrid, my life changed for the better. I regained my best friend and gained the person who I am going to spend the rest of my life with. And she in turn, took in someone who was broken and hopeless and gave him a chance. She gave him love and safety and support. She healed me and I will spend the rest of my life trying to thank her for everything that she has done."

"While that encounter in the airport gave me the thing I was lacking-someone to love me," Astrid continued, blinking at his sincere words and feeling curiously humbled. "And Hiccup was-and is-just perfect. He is brilliant, inventive, kind, caring, artistic, sarcastic, sassy, determined and brave. He risked his life to save me and protected me at his own cost. What Bella did to him made him doubt the amazing person he is and always has been-but no longer. And I realised I was lonely, living a glamorous life but having no one special to share it with. Well, I have that person now-and I am never going to let him go!"

"AWWW!" everyone said.

"Oh, come on…" Snotlout muttered, grabbing another beer in disgust. Stock nudged Gobber, grinning from ear to ear. He guessed what was coming next.

"I know you have all come expecting an announcement-and there are a couple-though probably not the ones you are expecting!" she continued, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "And the first is a thanks." Her eyes scanned the room for the woman and her daughter, hanging back amid the family. "Elsa and Mathildur Larson, could you step forward?" The stern woman from Berk Airport looked very self-conscious but her excited daughter-in her best party dress- raced forward, a huge grin almost splitting her freckled face. Astrid beckoned them up onto stage. Hiccup smiled.

"Elsa was the woman at Berk Airport who allowed me to board my flight to Archi despite not having an ID on me-which Bella had taken," he announced. "She recognised me, thanks to her daughter, Mathildur, who is one of Astrid's biggest fans. Thanks to her, I was able to escape Bella and be with Astrid. The rest, as they say, is history." He smiled. "So in thanks, Astrid wants to give Mathildur her League winner's medal…" Astrid handed the medal over to the squealing girl with a smile. "And for Elsa, we have vouchers for a holiday for two weeks for her and her family, anywhere in the world!"

The woman blinked and then she swallowed.

"I don't know what to say," she managed. Astrid smiled.

"It's not much," she admitted, "but your kindness deserves some reward and a break from our fabulous Archipelago weather may be welcome…" She paused. "And I have season tickets for Mathildur and a parent or parents for the next season, if you want them." Nodding and smiling in shocked gratitude. Elsa took the envelope, overcome. Mathildur hugged Astrid and Hiccup and then grabbed her mother's hand. skipping back towards the canapé trays.

"We also have an announcement," Hiccup continued, his emerald eyes sparkling. "I know there has been a lot of speculation about when Astrid and I will marry." His eyes trailed to the woman and she wrapped her hand around his.

"We have to explain a few things first," Astrid took over. "When I ran into Hiccup, we met up for dinner afterwards...and at the dinner..."

"You got engaged!" Ivar Hofferson yelled. The couple shared a look.

"Um...about that," Hiccup said. "We didn't."

There was a shocked silence.

"Wait-what?" Snotlout asked.

"We weren't engaged," Astrid confessed. "I didn't want to ruin Mom's party by taking away from her being the star. And then I was away and when we are back...everyone would have assumed it was a stunt..."

"So we carried on," Hiccup said. It wasn't the whole truth...but they had agreed that neither wanted to reveal that Hiccup had agreed to help Astrid's financial position. He hadn't made a penny from it and he had done it only to help her...and he insisted that he didn't want her to be vilified for it. "And to be honest, it was like my best dream. I have always loved Astrid...and as time passed..."

"I fell for him," she explained. "Properly...not that he wasn't my best friend at school. But spending time with him showed me what an awesome person he had become. My friends didn't make him welcome and he felt I would be better with a soccer player. When I stupidly went off with the winners after the Awards Dinner, he felt his belief was confirmed. I was stupid and flirted with Thuggory...and that was it. To leave me free to pursue him, Hiccup broke it off and I realised I had lost the only man for me. But after having a damned good talking-to by Heather and especially Dagur. I went after Hiccup."

"And she arrived just when I needed her most. She saved my life..."

"And you saved mine, babe," Astrid reminded him.

"And we finally had a proper talk...as I lay bleeding on the floor," Hiccup smiled.

"Yeah-well, my timing was never the best where we were concerned," Astrid reminded him. He nodded. "And then you asked me to marry you," she finished.

There was a silence and then cheers.

"So you're really engaged?" Ingrid Hofferson checked as Hiccup wrapped his arms around Astrid. The couple started laughing.

"No," Hiccup said quietly. "We're married."

"Yup. We are happy to confirm that this is our four month anniversary of that day," she announced.

There was a stunned silence.

"WHAT?" a dozen voices yelled. Astrid's mother looked like she was about to burst into tears and her father's mouth was hanging open in shock.

"What? I thought we were decorating an engagement party not a…" Ruffnut managed to gabble.

"I feel so used," Tuff added, huffing.

"You mean…" Fishlegs squeaked.

"That's it-you're both insane!" Snotlout yelled.

"That's my boy!" Stoick announced as Ingrid burst into tears of happiness and Ivar looked as if his face would split from the huge grin.

"We got married in the hospital after Bella was finally arrested for trying to kill Hiccup when he returned to Berk," Astrid confirmed, lifting her left hand and demonstrating her wedding ring. "We didn't want to wait. I didn't want to wait!" And as everyone stared, she turned to face Hiccup and, taking his cue, he dipped her down and kissed her passionately.

There were cheers and 'OOOH's and for a few moments, it was chaos as everyone surged forward to congratulate the happy couple. Hiccup as buffeted by claps on the back and hugs by everyone. Astrid was kissed and hugged to within an inch of her life. And finally, when order was restored, they found one another again and rejoined hands. The click of cell phones echoed throughout the hall and they knew that social media would be buzzing as soon as they friends posted their pictures and messages-as they had known they would…though Heather had posted an official picture they had taken a week earlier on Astrid's official Twitter and BerkBook feeds as soon as the couple had taken to the stage to begin the announcements. Now, finally, the whole world would know.

"There are only a couple more short notices before we can sit down to the meal," Astrid added. "Firstly, I have been informed that Hiccup has now been promoted to a Senior Design Engineer job at Berk Aero. Also, his first exhibition of watercolours will be coming out in four weeks in Berk Town Hall." He blushed. Since Astrid had shown his works to Heather, the woman had insisted he use his talents more and once his hands had healed, he had combined his diligent attendance at all of Astrid's matches with an amazing series of drawings and watercolours of the Valkyries, every single player and coaching staff, team portraits and images of the matches. It was a remarkable body of work that was being exhibited-and would be auctioned off at the New Year to go towards Astrid's Foundation for young prospective footballers. She was determined to give back to the island of her birth and support the next generation of Archipelago players. The plaudits Hiccup had received for his paintings had bolstered his confidence more than he could express because even people who weren't his friends had honestly complimented him for his talent.

"Secondly, I have to announce that Hiccup and I are moving back to Berk," Astrid announced. "I have spoken to Johann Trayder and Coach Harildsson and have asked for a transfer. I have had four amazing, wonderful, unprecedented years in Archi but in my heart, I am a Hooligan. And the fact that four of my closest friends-Ulrika, Jannicke, Emma and Bente are all being sold means that I think it's time to move on. I've won everything there is to win with the Valkyries so I am delighted to announce that my friends and I have all signed with the Hooligans for the next season!"

There was a shocked silence-before enormous cheering ripped through the room. Astrid was the Pride of Berk-but to have her coming back to represent her home island was beyond their wildest dreams. No one doubted that she would be a huge success-and the fact that almost half of the championship-winning Valkyries team had signed for Berk was a definite bonus. Hiccup's arm slid around her waist and she looked up into his face, seeing him happy and relieved to be home. Much as he loved the apartment in Archi-which they intended to keep-he was looking forward to being back on small, precipitous, insanely cold and hospitable Berk and setting up his own home with his wife.

"So you will all be seeing much more of us," he reminded them when the guests quietened down a little. "And once we have a home, I am sure there will be lots of invitations around for dinner-and I am equally sure you will be delighted to learn that I will be doing the cooking!"

There were laughs and cheers as Hiccup raised his hand once more.

"And we are beyond delighted that you are all here to share this celebration with us," he told them, his arms still around his wife. "Astrid and I have started our new life together and though I have come through a difficult time…and I am certain there are bumps in the road ahead for us both…I know we will always have each other. We didn't want a fuss, gift lists, wedding presents, fancy dresses-my lovely wife's amazing gown excluded- and all that unnecessary faff-what we wanted was to spend time with our friends and people who are important to us! So please-take your places and let's enjoy the meal!"

Astrid turned to him as the guests began chatting amongst themselves and streaming towards the tables.

"I am so proud of you," she said quietly, seeing Stoick glance over to her and wink. She nodded a quick smile at him before inspecting Hiccup's handsome face. There was a quiet assurance in his manner with her that gave her a warm feeling of achievement. Outwardly as well, he had regained the sassy persona that his friends expected and he smiled as he raised a hand to gently rest against her cheek.

"I am pretty proud of you, Milady," he replied, looking deep into her eyes. "I mean-you've won everything, done everything…and now you have a new challenge. A new team, a new home…"

"…a new husband…" she teased him.

"What, already?" he sassed back. "I mean, you've only just announced me and now you're getting a new one? Who is it? If you say Snotlout, I'm killing myself…." She started giggling.

"You, Mr Sassy, are completely wrong," she reminded him. "I've said it before and I'll say it again-yuk. The only person I want, the only person I will ever need…is you. And though we came together through accident and deception and more than one misunderstanding, what I feel for you is very real."

"That's why you came home?" he realised. "Because my life is here?"

"And my family as well," she assured him, smiling. "Babe-I love you and I've spent four years in Archi…but it's time for a change…and time for me to be the one making the sacrifice…not that is much of one. I wanted to come-because I want you to be happy."

"I'm always happy with you," he reminded her. "There should always be a Hiccup and Astrid. Wherever they are, whatever it means…as long as we're together, I'm the happiest man on Midgard…" She leaned forward and kissed him.

"Besides…Berk is a wonderful place to make a home…and raise a family…" she murmured. His eyes widened.

"Oh Thor…are you?" he gulped and gave a sigh of relief as she shook her head. "Um…not that I'm against it or not excited that maybe one day…" he added hastily and she smiled at his discomposure.

"I think we need to get settled first, babe," she reassured him. "But once we've got our home and our jobs all sorted, I certainly plan to try." He nuzzled against her hair, smiling.

"I thought we already had been," he whispered. "A lot." She blushed.

"If you tell your father, we'll never hear the end of it," she hissed back. Hiccup grinned.

"Oh, he knows," he told her without confessing anything. "The man was young himself once-and he can remember how a young married couple behaves…" She pulled away, catching his hand in hers and pulling him towards the head table. He chuckled, allowing himself to be hauled along. "Just my luck, getting my arm wrenched out by my bossy wife…" he teased her and she paused, checking he was okay with it all…but he was grinning and following her towards their expectant parents, the glasses of champagne already poured on the table. She squeezed his hand.

"Come with me…my accidental fiancé and very much wanted and loved husband-let's go celebrate our wedding with our friends and family," she laughed. "And look towards our future…together."

The End.

A/N: Yes, there was artistic license on the Women's Champions League Final timing. I know it's usually much earlier in the year.

Thanks for all the feedback. Seriously! Not everyone has agreed with how this story has panned out but this was always how it was going to end. This story has touched some serious issues and though Hiccup has his happy ending, not everyone does. I know some readers were unhappy he forgave Astrid and wanted her to suffer...but this Hiccup wouldn't want it. Though he did make her confront what she had done to him and understand and learn-as she requested. And for some victims of abusive relationships, they find trusting another partner almost impossible...but I wanted the end to be hopeful for Hiccup.

Hope you all enjoyed the story! -harrypanther.