A/N: I'm just going to take a moment to answer some of the reviews right here. The guest reviewers, anyways.
Maya: I will be continuing! I've just had some writers block on this chapter. Also. HELLO FAN FROM EUROPE.
Hi: It's more of a progressive story, but if you have a tumblr and want to read more of baby Novella I have many drabbles/one-shots on there. (if you'd like to look, my tumblr URL is the same as my name on here.)
Guest: Yes. Yes I will be.
Chapter Five
Five Years Old
The married couple was exhausted. They had spent the entire day doing last-minute party planning for Novella's sixth birthday. She was the age where she wanted everything to be perfect. She specifically told her parents that she wanted nothing but princesses and pretty colors. Hiccup was confused with the idea for pretty colors, so they decided on just purple and pink balloons. Close enough, right?
They had talked to Ruff - who was surprisingly good at baking - to make her a birthday cake, and Ruff said she would gladly do it. They then went to get a princess themed or pink table-cloth so Novella and her friends could make a mess on the table and they wouldn't have to worry too much. They even got paper plates and Disney Princess cups.
Novella should be proud that her parents worked so hard on this for her.
The downside though, Astrid was four days past her due date. The couple was mostly worried that their son would decide to come out on Novella's birthday, and they don't think they could handle that. Novella was spoiled. She doesn't want a brother for her birthday.
"You doing okay?"
Astrid looked over at him and frowned "Perfectly fine." She looked down at her stomach and let out a sigh "I wish he would have come out on his due date. That way I could stop worrying about him coming tomorrow. It's supposed to be all about Novella, not her brother."
Hiccup nodded in agreement. Novella didn't seem all that concerned for her new brother, though. She saw that her mom had finally started to show, and she knows that he should be here any day now. She told them that she would prefer him to not come on her birthday though.
"Is she in bed?" Hiccup asked, setting aside what he had done.
Astrid nodded, leaning back into her chair "An hour ago, I do believe."
Astrid stood, turning to look at the time before making her way to the living room. It was only seven-thirty, she didn't have to go to bed yet. Hiccup followed her, sitting down on the couch next to her. He reached over, running his fingers over her stomach "Did we decide of Fish and Ruff as Godparents again?"
Astrid nodded, leaning into Hiccup "Because we have so many other friends to choose from."
She hadn't realized how tired she was. The soothing feeling of Hiccup running his hand over her stomach was making her slowly fall to sleep. He was saying something to her when she finally closed her eyes and let sleep take over. She knew planning a party for a three-year old could be hard, but a six-year-old? She always figured they would just want something simple. Then again, Novella is pretty different from most kids her age.
Astrid isn't sure how long she had slept. It could have been minutes, or even hours. She groaned when she sat up straight. The way she had laid was killing her back. She looked over at Hiccup, giving his shoulder a shake. They could at least go to their room.
Hiccup stretched before standing up, putting a hand on Astrid's back and walking towards the bedroom. That's when she looked at the time. Midnight. She sat on the bed and looked down at her stomach "Okay little guy, listen here. Today is your sister's birthday. You are not allowed to come today, you hear me? Novella would hate us the rest of her life for giving her a brother for her birthday."
Hiccup chuckled, sliding into bed next to her "Telling him that will only make him come quicker now."
Astrid only shrugged, pulling the covers around herself and smiling "I don't think he'll come today. He knows it's his sister's birthday, he wouldn't ruin it."
"You're so confident about this."
"That I am. You didn't have to carry him around for nine months. I've gotten to know him already."
Hiccup laughed, throwing an arm around Astrid and burying his face in her shoulder "We'll just have to wait and see, Milady."
XXXXX
Hiccup woke up to the sound of his bedroom door being pulled open, and a loud squeal, before both him and Astrid were met with their now six-year-old daughter jumping onto the bed at their feet. He buried his face further into the pillow, letting out a groan. Why was Novella up so early?
"Wake up! Wake up!"
Astrid was the first to sit up, and unamused look on her face. Normally, she was an early riser, but she was exhausted, and in pain. She reached towards Novella, pulling her in between her and Hiccup "Ella, it's like.. Five in the morning. Why are you awake?"
"It's my birthday!"
"Happy birthday. Ella." Hiccup mumbled into his pillow.
Astrid smiled, he was so exhausted. She leaned back into her pillow with the full intention to go back to sleep, but a sharp pain in her stomach wouldn't let her. She furrowed her brows, moving her arm away from her daughter and resting it on her stomach.
No, these can't be contractions, she can't be going into labor, not on Novella's birthday.
"Hiccup." he let out a groan to let her know that he was listening "I think the babies coming?"
That got his attention. Hiccup shot up and looked over at her. She was staring down at her stomach, a frown on her face "Contractions?" Astrid nodded. Hiccup reached for his prosthetic, putting it on before climbing out of bed and walking to her side, holding a hand out "Come on. We can have fingers crossed that it's a false labor."
Novella looked between her parents, frowning. It's her birthday. Why are they ignoring her? This day is supposed to be all about her, she's supposed to have a party!
"Daddy, where are you going?"
Astrid stopped when she reached the bedroom door, turning to look at her daughter. That look on her face could have made her cry if she wasn't in pain. Hiccup sighed, picking Novella up and holding her close "Your brother decided now was a good moment to come. Looks like you're getting a brother today."
Novella squirmed around, trying to get out of her dads arms "I don't want a brother!"
Hiccup and Astrid made eye contact, both with frowns on their faces "Ella... Your mommy is in pain." Novella looked over at her mom at that before turning her attention back to her dad "We don't want your mommy in pain, so we have to go to the hospital. Rain will be there, your Aunt Ruff and Uncle Fish, even your Grandma and Pop. You're... Having a small party at the hospital."
Astrid chuckled, pulling her phone out at the mention of the people. Ruff would definitely kill her if she had this baby and didn't tell her about it. And she knows for sure that Stoick and Val would be upset.
Hiccup eventually convinced Novella that this was all going to turn out okay, and maybe, if they were lucky, it would be false.
He was of course wrong, because Hiccup Haddock has the worst luck.
Astrid was in labor. On their daughter's birthday. Why did this have to happen to them?
"Just think," Ruff had said when she and Fish arrived with a drowsy Rain "they can possibly be confused for twins when they get older. They can be like Tuff and me!"
Astrid had rolled her eyes. There is no way her daughter - or son - will turn out like Ruff. That's just asking for too much trouble.
Four hours later, and still no sign of their son. Astrid was officially bored and hungry. She wishes she could have eaten before her labor started. Why did they come straight to the hospital instead of waiting at home a bit? She could have eaten then.
Ruff was sitting in one of the chairs by the window. The girl had the nerve to go and get some type of breakfast from the cafeteria for her, Fish, and the kids. Astrid stared her down until Hiccup noticed and offered to get her something.
She knows she isn't supposed to eat, but she doesn't know how long she's going to be stuck in this bed. What if she's here for another three hours? She can't possibly give birth on an empty stomach. It takes up too much energy!
Novella and her dad left the room as Stoick and Val were walking in.
Hiccup and Astrid missed when they lived closer to them. They were able to see them all the time, Novella was able to see her grandparents, and things worked fine. That was until Gobber decided he wanted to open a garage and hire Hiccup. So, Hiccup and Astrid moved to be closer to Gobber's Garage.
Novella let out a squeal at the sight of her grandparents, letting go of her dads hand and running towards them. Val kneeled down, holding her arms out "There's our little birthday girl!"
"Gramma!"
Val picked her up, kissing her cheek and hugging her "How's our favorite girl?"
"Hey!" Astrid and Ruff called at the same time.
Stoick and Val haven't known Ruff as long as they've known Astrid, but they quickly took a liking to her. She was another Astrid, and was good to Fish, who was like a son to them.
Val turned to look at them, smiling "Oh, you two be quiet."
Novella turned in Val's arms to look for her daddy but he was no longer in the door "Where did daddy go?"
Astrid gave her daughter a smile "He went to get breakfast." she then narrowed her eyes at Val and Stoick "Well, get over here! I'm waiting for my hello!"
Val set Novella down and walked over to Astrid, leaning over to give her a hug "You know you can get up."
"Yeah, but. I'm really tired, so, laying down seemed best."
Stoick then leaned down before resting a hand on her stomach "I was hoping for a grandson first." Novella made a face at him "But having a granddaughter is just as great."
Ruff snorted "Nice save."
The door opened a few seconds later and Hiccup walked in, one tray in hand. Astrid almost looked appalled that he wouldn't bring her anything "Excuse you, I-"
Hiccup sat down in the chair next to her, setting the tray on the table "They know you're in labor, Astrid. They remember you from Novella's birth. I couldn't get two trays and it not seem suspicious." he handed the tray to Astrid and smiled "Eat whatever you want."
Hiccup then held his arms out to his parents "Come see your son!"
Val gave her son a smile and walked over to him, pulling him into a hug. Sure, Astrid was like a daughter to her, and no matter how much she misses her, she'll always miss Hiccup the most. He is her real child, after all.
Astrid loves watching Hiccup interact with his parents. She always wished that she could have a relationship like that with her parents. But then she thinks about it again.. They weren't supportive of her and Hiccup, or the idea of having a granddaughter.
Maybe it's best for them to stay out of her life for now.
XXXXX
They had been in the hospital all day waiting for this baby. They realized hours ago that they should have stayed at home instead of heading straight for the hospital, but how did they know it would take so long? It was past midnight, and everyone was exhausted.
Astrid's contractions had finally started getting closer together around one in the morning. Stoick and Val had taken Novella and Rain home so the two girls weren't stuck in the hospital all night long. Ruff and Fish were sitting over by the window, while Hiccup was running his hand through Astrid's hair.
She wishes she would have stayed at home all day. She feels bad that Novella missed her birthday and spent it in the hospital, and she feels bad that they didn't get to throw her party.
What a way to spend your sixth birthday.
The doctor had come in a few minutes ago to check Astrid again. The last time she had been checked, Astrid was only 7 cm dilated. Maybe the baby is finally wanting to come out.
"Is my godson almost here?" Ruff asked once the doctor had finished checking Astrid.
"Your godson should be here any minute. Are you ready to have your son, Astrid?"
Astrid smiled, nodding her head "Yes!"
Hiccup sat up straighter, gripping Astrid's hand. Ruff made her way to the other side of her friend. Both her and Hiccup had hope that this birth would be easier than Novella's, but Astrid is married to a Haddock, who happens to be unlucky.
Astrid struggled. Maybe because it had been six years since she had given birth. She doesn't remember birth being this bad. Her son is obviously a lot smaller than Novella was, so why is it more painful?
Hiccup is almost certain that she broke his hand this time.
Astrid could just fall asleep. She vowed to never give birth again. She doesn't want to go through this again. Novella, and little Connor Haddock are enough for her.
AlN: Boooo. The end is rushed. I'm so very sorry. I had such bad writers block towards the end. I started this chapter last month, I didn't even know where I wanted to take it. I pinky promise the next chapters will be better!
Also, welcome to the world little Connor Haddock!
