Chapter Two
Three Years Old

"Up, up, up, Ella! It's your first day of preschool."

If there was one thing Astrid had learned, it was that Novella takes after her dad. She'll sleep all day, and stay up all night. It sucks for the both of them. Hiccup, because he has work early mornings, and Novella, because she's starting preschool.

"Do I have to go?" Novella mumbled as she walked towards her mom.

"Yes. Your father went to preschool, and it's nothing really important. We just want you to get ready for school."

"Is daddy still here?"

Astrid sighed. Yes, both Hiccup and Astrid had joked around saying that Novella favored him when she was a baby, but once she hit the age where she could even form sentences, it had become very clear that Novella, did in-fact, favor Hiccup. It didn't bother Astrid too bad. Novella did show Astrid love, too, but she she made it quite clear who her favorite was. She was Hiccup's little girl, and he could never tell her no. That's probably why she favored him.

"Yes, daddy is still here. He's in the shower." Novella broke into a smile, climbing into one of the chairs at the kitchen table "Do you want some waffles?"

"Please!"

Astrid raised an eyebrow when she heard a door open. It couldn't have been Hiccup. He wouldn't be leaving without saying something to his wife and daughter. Who else would be coming over this early?

"Good morning, Haddocks!"

Right. Ruff. How could Astrid forget? Ruff said she was going to be bringing Rain over so they could carpool. Fish and Hiccup work together, so it could work.

Since the two kids had started talking, Rain and Novella got along great. They had their own kid conversations that the parents didn't really understand, but at least they were friends. Or, what three year olds could call friends.

"Morning Ruff, Rain."

"Auntie Ruff!" Novella jumped off her seat, rushing towards her favorite aunt and godmother.

Ruff leaned down, picking Novella up "Hello my favorite little Haddock!"

Novella laughed when Ruff set her down. She put a hand on her hip, rolling her eyes "I'm the only little Haddock."

Ruff let out one of those loud laughs of hers. She walked past Novella, running a hand through her hair before choosing a seat at the table. Ruff loved that she was still close with Astrid and Hiccup. She loves this family, and basically considers them part of her family. Novella is not only her Goddaughter, but she's also technically referred to as Ruff's niece on many occasions.

"Ah. I see you got your father's sass."

Astrid made a motion to Novella and her chair. Ruff and Rain didn't understand it, but Novella seemed to. Ruff guessed that if you come from the Haddock's, you have to learn all those crazy hand gestures. Hiccup has this terrible habit of swinging and waving his arms around when he talks.

"You need to eat. Sit still." Astrid then turned to Rain "Do you want some breakfast, Rain?"

"Yes please!"

Manners. That is one thing Astrid wouldn't have guessed Ruffnut Ingerman's child would ever have. Rain is one of the most polite children she's ever met, and she loves having her over. She's babysat Rain many times, and she was nothing but polite.

"You know, Ruff. I have my fingers crossed that Rain stays this nice forever. Maybe run some of it off on my daughter. She has her moments, but it isn't all the time like Rain."

Ruff sighed, leaning on the table, and resting her face in her hand "Yeah... I have no idea where she gets it. Fish maybe? He's super polite."

Astrid nodded, popping another two waffles into the toaster "Yeah, she definitely takes after Fish."

Hiccup walked into the kitchen a few minutes later. He walked straight over to Astrid, kissing her temple "Morning, Milady." he walked over to Novella, that smile still on his face "Morning, Ella." he opened his mouth to say another good morning to Ruff, but stopped "You aren't even part of my family. Why are you here so early?"

Astrid snorted, setting Rain's plate in front of her "That's one way to greet someone."

Hiccup waved his hand around "It's just Ruff!"

Ruff rolled her eyes, looking over to Hiccup. It's the morning, he still looks tired, his hair was damp, and he was shirtless. This is one thing Ruff always liked bothering him about. It was rare that Hiccup would ever walk around shirtless around her. They both remember what would happen in college.

Ruff shot him a wink, nodding her head "Morning to you too, Mr. Haddock."

Hiccup frowned, shaking his head "My Gods, Ruff. No."

Ruff threw her arms up, laughing "I said nothing."

Astrid walked by him, hitting his stomach "Go. You're almost as bad as Novella. You could be late."

At the mention of her name, Novella looked over at her mom. She sighed, leaning back "Dad is worse than me, mommy. At least I actually woke up on time."

Ruff watched the three of them before chuckling "You Haddock's are so awake in the morning." she then looked over at Hiccup, who was trying to hide a yawn "Well... Except him."

Hiccup was opening his mouth to retort, but Astrid was pushing him into the other room, telling him he needed to hurry up. She then glanced down at Novella "You're next. You need to get dressed, too."

Novella let out one of her dramatic sighs, and Astrid couldn't help but laugh. She has to have gotten all that sass from her dad. Her drama queen side is definitely from her father. She's not surprised, really. It's more amusing than anything to have a mini Hiccup around the house.

"We don't need another Hiccup in the world." Ruff said, watching Novella jump out of her seat and walk towards her room to get ready.