Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!
Since time was able to be tracked and scheduled with the invention of the calendar every culture across the world has come up with their own, meaning not all of them have the same way of measuring the days of the week, months of the year or what year it was or what dates were important to their own people.
Though for the people of Berk they did at least believe in the at least the basic of 12 months to a year with seven days a week with 24 hours in a day with a fixed number of days to the months.
Though for what days of the year were important to them? Starting after the New Year and going through the months?
The first holiday after New Year would be Freya Day which was their day dedicated to the Freya the Goddess of Love which was celebrate on February 14th. It was a day dedicate to nothing but love and romance.
The following month on March 13th was the start of Bork Week to celebrate Gobber's ancestor who wrote the Book of Dragons and how he gave them a 'head start' in understanding them. (Though they was a lot of untruthful things Hiccup and his siblings knew about from their own Book of Dragons. If things ever changed maybe people would know the truth some day of dragons that Bork only scratch the surface on)
April 1st was Ruffnut and Tuffnut's favorite day of the year as it was Loki Day and they got to prank all day long and they never failed to pull out all stops and be five times as annoying that day every year.
May 4th was Mother's Day which was a very big deal with a very traditional celebration and party to celebrate all the mothers of Berk. On May 30th was the Day of the Fallen which was a day of remembrance to remember all who'd fallen in the countless battles over the centuries.
June 16th was Father's Day which was just as big a day with as big as celebration and party as Mother's Day.
There was a day to celebrate the wounded and those who'd lost their limbs called Stump Day in September on the 23rd.
And finally Week of Snoggletog from December 18th to December 26th.
Though like any other place there other dates important to all individuals such as people's birthdays, the deathdays of their departed loved ones and for any married couples their anniversaries.
Of course the most important anniversary on the island was Stoick and Valka or at least it should be thought of as important given how the whole island had ruined their first one by making Stoick forget his first anniversary and ignore his wife on their day.
Even if that had secretly led them to finding their secret hideaway of Lover's Cove which no-one outside their family knew of the whole island had been severely verbally punished for ruining their chief's anniversary which was October 12th.
Traditionally Viking weddings were held in the summer and always on a Friday to honor Odin's wife Frigga whom gave her name to give the day of Friday. And parts of the Viking wedding needed things usually only found in summer. Though if need be you could hold one in late fall if you had too.
Though the point had become crystal clear the day after their first anniversary had been ruined. Stoick had made a very clear threat and promise to the entire village after his ruined anniversary.
He told the whole village and made it clear he meant every word he was saying and not joking in the least bit; that if anyone in the village in the future ever bothered him or his wife on their anniversary for a second time, they'd either be decapitated or exiled. Depended if he was feeling merciful or not.
Therefore no-one had ever bothered their Chief on his anniversary for anything ever again. That was his day and they wouldn't bother him on it. Nor were they foolish enough to bother him on other important family related dates. Which were his kids' birthdays, his wife's birthday (March 21st) or his own (April 12th)
Right now it was it was early morning of Stoick and Valka's 16th wedding anniversary and their children had promised them a huge surprise when they got home from their day out.
"Don't worry, Mom! Everything will be perfect by the time you and Dad get back from your date!" promised Hiccup though looking at her teenage son she had her doubts.
"Are you sure you're gonna be alright doing whatever you have in mind? I mean I know you want to make tonight special, but are you sure you can do whatever you have in mind and watch your brother and sister?" she asked him uncertainly as she was brushing her long auburn hair as she got ready for her anniversary date.
Hiccup was helping her get ready as he'd just made her a new looking glass a few days ago as an early gift and Boden and Una were helping their father get ready in a different room in their own way.
Though at her question he did squirmed a bit and she felt both their minds filled with flashes of different memories as often seemed to happen when his anxiety got the better of him and he lost control and his powers activated.
"Hiccup, please be careful. You know you can't lose it with your father around," she warned him as she looked over her shoulder in a slight panic before gazing back at him hoping he calm down and get a grip.
"I know Dad still doesn't know the truth! Curse Odin's Eye right now! All the anxiety I've right now!" Hiccup spoke with rising anxiety clearly having a hard time getting a grip but also struggling to pull it together, "Not only are my anxiety problems at an all-time high because of what we want to do today for you and Dad, but if you must know all three of us are having major problems right now with gifts right now."
"How bad we talking?" she inquired in an apprehensive tone as she finished with her hair.
"Combining with the stress of today, our mental issues and our secret lives? Everything is coming unglued!" he let out in a rush and seemed to be ready to fall to piece but took a deep breath and put on the best smile he could and told her "But just put it out of your mind today, Mom! Today is not for you to be our mother! Today is about you and Dad being two people in love and enjoying each other.
I'll handle everything and everyone. Myself and my siblings. You just enjoy your anniversary I can deal with all this I swear! Go have fun!"
"You're sure? Today won't be too much trouble?" looking at him with great concern, after all she was his mother as much as she was his father's wife. However her eldest son waved his left hand in flippant manner despite clearly having a mental crises going on.
"We'll be fine and you'll have the best surprise when you get back!" he said in the most reassuring manner he could despite he still looked like he was having way more anxiety then he could handle.
"Alright, Hiccup, if you're sure. Just remember to use your coping skills we've come up with for all of you if it gets too much," she made him promise as they left the room to where the rest of the family was.
Stoick had been having a similar conversation with his younger children. They hadn't talked about their secret gifts of empathy or being a bridge between worlds, as they'd yet to tell him that. Or the fact they had a secret Underground Dragon Sanctuary underneath his feet either.
Though they did admit their mental problems were stressing them out and they wanted today to be perfect for their parents. It was extremely obvious the children were all in a mental crises today though they still rather their parents enjoy themselves then take care of them today.
"You sure you'll all be okay today while we go on our date?" their father asked them all sternly one last time. Clearly he was afraid to depart and leave them when he felt his place was with them.
"We'll be okay, Daddy. Don't worry the house will still be standing when you get back!" assured Una with a nervous giggle as she played with the hem of her tunic dress.
"Yeah, when you get back it will be a perfect for you and Mom! You two just enjoy having a whirlwind romance today and your perfect romance will be awaiting you when you get back!" promised Boden while twisting his ponytail.
"It will be fine, Dad! Don't worry we can handle it! Just enjoy the day!" Hiccup was actually trying to push his parents out despite fact they both three times what he did. He was only 90 lbs. after all.
Finally with one round of hugs, kisses and smiles Valka and Stoick left and their kids let out a sigh of relief, even if they all still had that look in their eyes that clearly showed they all weren't feeling so good on the inside.
It was their parent's day after all. Therefore they weren't going to take it away from them even if they're all having more or less major mental meltdowns and their crazy uncontrollable powers acting up at the same time. It's was their parents' day and it was their job to make the day perfect for them and put their own problems aside for the day make things perfect for them!
"Thought they never leave! Okay you two ready to make this place perfect for when they get back this evening?" Hiccup looked down at his little brother and sister.
"Yes! What are your orders, Hiccup?" they asked their big brother who was their best friend too.
"Okay, Boden I'm assigning you clean up duty. I want this whole house cleaned from top to bottom. You got it? Spick and span by the time they return, got it? Not a speck of dust at all."
"On it, bro!" and he bolted to grab the mop and rags to start decontaminating the house.
"What can I do BBBFF?"
"I need you LSBFF to gather a bouquet of flowers from both Lover's Cove and Dragon's Glen and set up the dinner table, as well as make things as romantic as possible for when Mom and Dad get back. Can you do that, Una?"
"I'll do anything to make Mommy and Daddy happy! I'll get right on it!" and she dashed out to hop a ride on Nightrainbow in secret to get the flowers faster and then hopefully make things romantic.
Then Hiccup took a big gulp and looked at the fire and food barrels. "Odin if you can hear me please help me not burn down the house and at least make a halfway decent meal for my parents!" as he rolled up his sleeves and tried his hand at cooking.
Out in the forest walking the secret trails and enjoying the lovely and enchanting colors of autumn were Stoick and Valka.
"It's always so beautiful, don't you agree, Stoick? This time of year?" Valka inquired thoughtfully as they sat on a log to look out at the scenery before them.
"Yes," he nodded in agreement as he drank in the beauty around them to point it out, "the bold intense red, fine gold, beautiful orange, and such unique and unmatchable shades. The seasons come and go and each holds its own unique beauty and splendor but right now the scene before me is quiet breathtaking in its own way."
"It's strange when you think about it the seasons and us," she murmured as she picked up a beautiful crimson leaf twisting it around in her right hand.
"What do you mean, Val? The seasons and us?" her husband asked her in confusion.
She sighed for a moment and looked at him with her beautiful blue eyes before saying "Well, we each have a different birthday belonging to a different seasons so we each see a different kind of magic and wonder, don't we?
You and I belong to spring and I'm born on the first day of spring itself! So we're both into the season of new life. Hiccup…" she paused for a moment to gather her strength before continuing. "He's born on a special unique day, Leap Year Day February 29th and in winter which again is ironic. Life is so full of irony."
Stoick knew what she was referring to without her saying it and said what she was thinking for her, "I know what you're trying to say. He was born in the season of cold and death and on a day that usually doesn't exist at all. So it's like the gods where almost saying he shouldn't have existed, but he has lived and thrived despite it all."
"Again, thank Odin as well as the Guardian Valkyrie he seemed to for some unknown reason assigned to be our family's protector. I dare say without her watchful eye and pure heart our children be in more danger. I feel she'll be need more in the future."
"Yes, I do agree, whoever our mysterious guardian Valkyrie is she is definitely watching out for all five of us. She made sure Boden was safely delivered in the season of change which is going on now and Una in the season of life which is summer when everything is thriving with life."
"You know our children are really special in many ways, right Stoick?"
"I know they may have a few problems we've worked very hard that the village doesn't know they struggle with which is what we are worried about right now. Leaving them home alone when clearly their all having bad episodes today."
"Still they're thinking of us and not themselves even when their clearly all suffering from the stress of their own inner problems and having a severely bad time today they only think of our happiness."
"It's very sweet of them. Want to talk about it over lunch on the water? We can eat on a boat, be a bit more romantic."
"Sure, but I get to row. Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I'm weak, you know."
Laughing Stoick looked his wife as they headed to go get a boat and told her, "Valka one thing you never been to me is weak. You are the strongest person I know. I love you are fearless, defiant, speak your mind and even you are not afraid to put me in my place when you think I need to be punished!"
"Really? You like me not being a simple wallflower, calm, obedient wife who just cooks, cleans and does what her husband tells her to do? You like that I talk back to you? That I have such different ideas and opinions and that well I look the way I look?"
By now they'd reached the place where he'd stashed a boat and he helped her in and pushed off and she rowed a bit before he brought out a lunch and they sat a few minutes eating.
Then Stoick told her why he loved her for a second time. "Valka we've been married 16 long years today. I love you for some simple reasons and one of the biggest is yes you are different and that makes you beautiful.
But just how much I love you if you're wondering here's what you need to know about the reason we are still married and in love so much.
Because I love you and I need you just as much as the Earth needs the sun. You keep my hope bright and my head on right and you and the kids are my reasons I keep fighting on.
I love and need you and the kids as much as the summer needs the rain to grow and sustain each day. When I hear you singing it brings your strength to my soul.
If we were forced miles or years apart I would still hear your melody and I know from that I could endure because I would still have within my heart your love for me.
I need you Val like I need to breathe just as Odin needs Frigga, I need the one I love. I see everything so clearly when I'm with you and I give up everything in the name of love no matter what our difference were to be with you and the children. That's how much I love you!"
Valka blushed intensely before kissing him passionately and replied as she pulled out of the kiss. "I felt it, you felt it, that we are truly meant to be. I know it and you know it we were made for each other.
We never could deny it for day by day our love's only gotten stronger. I wanted you and you wanted me. We are just like Odin and Frigga and nothing gonna divide us. Not the tallest of trees or wildest of seas nothing big enough to hide us.
The love we share its overwhelming its soars higher than even Valhalla. You're my soulmate, Stoick, you're my soulmate Stoick. And though this world could leave us any day but my love for you will never go away.
And I never want to go to sleep for this is better than a dream. For every night for every prayer I've already found my answers. For you're my soulmate.
We took the time make each moment count so our love could grow. Now we both can see what we truly have is worth more than either of our weight in gold. Because our life is so full meaning and we hold onto it tight with each promise of tomorrow.
We don't need more than the three wishes we're already granted. Now I just need one more, Stoick. And that's is for us to never be finished and never to be done. For it never to be over and you always just keeping saying to me "I love you"
That we just keep on building our future and that's all I want and need from you Stoick. For you are my soulmate and that's all I want and the reasons I love you!"
They kissed once more most passionately and finished their lunch before rowing back to shore and making their way home hand in hand with Stoick's cape wrapped around Valka's small frame.
They're still talking about their love for each other but also their children which was the major topic really at hand. It was really what was truly on their minds was their three children.
Thus when they walked in the door of their home still thinking about Hiccup, Boden and Una they're in for a little shock. They'd feared it was a bad idea to leave them home alone when they're having a bad metal health day (And their powers going crazy because of it, Valka knew this. Stoick didn't at least not yet anyway.)
Well three things were painfully obvious when they walked into their home that evening.
1. The children had done their damnist to really pull off their jobs of trying to put together a perfect anniversary dinner. 2. The house was a complete and utter disaster from both their efforts and their mental health problems. 3. They truly loved their parents very much despite nearly destroying the house and doing harm to themselves in the process.
"Happy Anniversary Mom/Mommy and Dad/Daddy!" they cried despite all of them looked like they'd gone and done battle with a blood thirsty army and not tried to make an anniversary dinner.
"It's beautiful, sweethearts, thank you," their mother replied despite the food was badly burned and the house looked like a tornado gone through it.
"Yes, very nice job, lovely table setting," Stoick told them which was true about the only perfect thing was the table itself.
So Hiccup and Boden pulled out the chairs so their parents could sit down and they still task themselves with serving them the meal and Una tried to serenade them by singing their love song to them.
All of this was really sweet nevertheless before they'd even make it to the dessert the children all just collapsed to the floor in sheer exhaustion and were out like a candle that been snuffed out.
Laughing quietly Stoick and Valka got up from the table and placed their children into their laps. Boden in Stoick's and Una's in Valka's with Hiccup nestled between them.
They're holding hands and kissed before whispering. "I believe this is the best anniversary gift of them all. The one we've gotten every year since each were born, don't you think so, Stoick?" Valka whispered happily as she ran her dainty fingers through her daughter's golden and lilac hair.
"Yes, having three happy and healthy children smiling at us and willing to go to such length. What more could we ask for?" he replied in equal contentment as he stroked his second born's auburn hair gently.
"I know what you mean. Lying side by side with you right now listening to the crackling flames? As we smile at each other and smiles on our children's faces?" she smiled and sighed with such pleasure before continuing on.
"I feel these are the moments I thank the Gods the most I'm alive for these are the most I'll remember all my life and in my death. Since we both have found all we've waited for and we could not ask for more."
"I know what you mean as I look into your beautiful eyes Val, and I see everything I need. I know Valhalla truly exist. For these are the moments all I truly need is this," as they become more intertwined with each other and the level of bliss started to reach its zenith in the room.
Their eye sparkled like the stars outside for a moment as they began to once more lock their lips in their most passionate kiss yet. All the while their thoughts were one as they thought who could ask for more than this?
More than their time together with their loved ones, for wasn't that every prayer answered and every dream come true? Just to be right there in the moment with the people you loved? Who could truly ask for more than that? What more did you really need in life?
So they silently took their children upstairs and put them to bed and just thought of how blessed they truly were. To be married to their true loves and have three wonderful children.
For they truly had all the waited for and could not ask for more.
