So my plan was to wrap this little story up with this chapter, short and sweet epilogue. Nope, my epilogue spawned a plot bunny. So this? not the last chapter.

Lindsay's grinning like a Cheshire cat when she pulls up to Hiccup's that afternoon. She turns off the engine and barges in his house in a way that could be considered rude, but screw it, this is practically her house too. "Lovemuffin," she yells, kicking off her shoes, "You will never believe—" she rounds into the kitchen and freezes. "Hi, Mr. Haddock," she stammers. "Hi, Hiccup. Is this a, um, bad time? Because if it is, I am totally okay with—"

"No," Stoick replies. "Of course not, lass."

Crap. At least Hiccup looks pleased to see her. She tentatively sits at the counter with them. Hiccup stands and crosses to her, granting a quick peck on her lips. She blushes, "Hiccup, you moron, your father is right here!" She hisses.

"Yep," Hiccup grins. He turns to face the massive man. "Dad, you know Lindsay my friend. This is Lindsay, my girlfriend." She smiles without thinking about it before punching his arm, not too hard. "You goof," she scolds, but he knows she doesn't mean anything by it. "It's good to meet you when I'm in a better mood, Mr. Haddock."

Stoick's eyes twinkle. "Ay, lass."

"Mr. Haddock? Can you just excuse us a moment?" She asks sweetly. She drags him out of his father's earshot and says firmly, "There's someone else you should introduce him to." She makes a cat claw with her hand.

"No! He'll—"

"No without warning," she corrects. "Not like how I met the charming mammal. Explain first." She squeezes his hand. "I'll help."

He hesitates.

"You always say you're not close because you never lived up to his expectations. Maybe you should try to give him some expectations to meet."

"It hasn't ever been close. Especially after my mom died…she understood me, but he never…"

"I understand you." She steps closer. "And I understand if you don't say something and keep lying you'll just feel guiltier and guiltier as time passes and it'll hurt more for him to find out, which he will eventually, and he'll do something stupid. Or you will. Or both. Since genius in chromosomal, I figure idiocy is too."

"You have such a way with words," he replies.

She makes a face. "Fine. No words." She kisses him, sweet and gentle with a certain willfulness to it. "Better?"

He asks: "You'll be with me?"

"Always."

"I hate to say it…but you're right."

She grins. "Aren't I always?"

He rolls his eyes. "So modest this girl is."

She grabs his hand again. "Ready?" She's serious now, far more prepared than he is.

"Okay," he reassures himself. "Let's go give my father a heart attack."

Said it wasn't the end. Didn't say it wasn't shorter than a toddler.

So, hm, how will this meeting go?...you'll find out.