Part 26: Epilogue

One year later...

The French doors were open and Emma was playing in the back yard with Stormy the dog. Toothless was watching over them from the fence. The feisty little feline was never far from his master or the girl, even fighting off a stray dog that broke into the back yard. It had cost Toothless part of his tail but Emma had been unharmed and the dog had run away, yelping in pain, one eye scratched out and face and nose bleeding profusely. The little stray had recovered from surgery on his tail and been adored by Emma ever since.

It was a fine late Spring day, the temperature warm and balmy and Hiccup was working lazily at his desk in the main living area. Astrid and Emma had moved back into his apartment three days after their first official date-much to Emma and Gobber's delight. The spare room was thoroughly 'pinked up' as Hiccup had guessed it would be and was now thoroughly fit for a Disney Princess-loving four year old. Astrid, however, was staying with Hiccup, transforming his neat and rather clinical room to a homely space for the couple. The apartment was converted to a family space, with Emma's drawings on the fridge and a box of toys shoved in the corner.

Astrid had apologised profusely for not recognising his declaration and letting him feel so broken-hearted when she had wanted so much to be with him. She had ensured they sat down once Emma was in bed and honestly and fully talked through everything-including their feelings. Both had been embarrassed at how slow they were to recognise what Gobber and Emma had seen so easily and Astrid had been intent on making up for the pain she had caused the man she had fallen for. And she had been equally as determined to ensure he recovered from his other injuries-so she had escorted him to all his physical therapy and psychologist appointments, helping him work through his PTSD, making sure he was properly mobile and that he was fixed. Though once he had understood he was loved, he had hope and had worked through everything his doctor had wanted him to deal with-no matter how hard or emotionally draining it was. And though it took seven months of intensive therapy, he had finally come to terms with everything that had happened to him and had his demons well and truly under control.

Astrid had completed her degree as had Hiccup and he was now working hard in Berk Aeronautical Engineering Systems. Despite being the most junior engineer, he had already been noticed and his innovative design for a new island-hopping aircraft was already being prototyped. And-even better-he was up for an award, which had done wonders for his self-confidence. Astrid still did the occasional shift at the Diner-more to keep up with old friends and help out rather than because she needed the money: her new job in the Schools Department paid far more than she could ever earn as a waitress. But today, Hiccup was more anxious than usual, waiting for her to return from the shops because he had something important to ask her.

But he could immediately tell something was wrong when she entered: her head was down and her eyes looked as if she had been crying. His stomach immediately started doing flips in worry for her. He loved Astrid desperately, loved the way she protected and teased him, the way she was fierce and independent and vulnerable and caring, the way she loved him back and shared all her worries with him. He knew it couldn't be Dagur, because he had died in prison just before Snoggletog, stabbed in a brawl. And Ana had left Berk, disgusted at the fact she was the laughing stock of the town when an article about the Last Date had been published by none other than Ruffnut, who had utterly destroyed the other girl when she reported her vicious, untruthful and manipulative behaviour towards her sometime fiancé and her friends. In fact, Ruff had become Astrid's friend after the whole incident, apologising for believing Dagur and abandoning Astrid. And Astrid had forgiven her.

But this wasn't the happy, relaxed, carefree Astrid he had come to know: she slumped onto the couch, her hands pressed to her face and shoulders shaking with sobs. Immediately he sat by her, his arm wrapped around her. She turned to him and buried her face in his chest. He felt her hands cling to his shirt and the dampness against his skin as she soaked his shirt with her tears.

"Shh, shh, Milady," he murmured. "Whatever it is, we can deal with it together." But his stomach clenched more as she shook her head against him.

"I've ruined everything," she sobbed. Looking down into her face, he sighed and wiped her cheeks with his thumbs.

"Milady, what's wrong?" he asked, anxiety in his voice. "I love you. I am deliriously happy. I love Emma. We're here for each other. There's nothing that can ruin this." She shook her head.

"I-I-I'm pregnant," she whispered, tears trickling down her face as she closed her eyes-so she missed his face moving through shock to wonder, amazement and utter joy.

"P-pregnant?" he repeated, the power of speech almost leaving him. "Y-y-you're g-going to-to have a-a baby?" She nodded.

"That's what it usually means," she murmured thickly. He gripped her cheeks in his hands and forced her to look at him-then lunged forward to press a delighted kiss on her lips. Her eyes widened in utter shock. His emerald eyes were sparking in joy and a smile had lit his face.

"But-that's wonderful!" he told her, his voice breathless with excitement. "Astrid-we're having a baby!"

"We?"

"You...me...together...I mean...um...amazing!" he gabbled and she sniffed, wiping her nose on the back of her hand.

"Yeah, I guess," she sighed. He leaned forward and peered into her eyes.

"Astrid-are you okay?" he asked. She nodded, her shoulders still hunched and her entire posture defeated. And then it clicked. "Astrid-I know the last time you gave someone this news, they behaved like a total asshole and rejected you and Emma and basically ruined your life...but that's not what I'm gonna do. I love you with my-my everything. And I cannot possibly be happier than I am now at hearing I am going to be a father again. I mean, I am a sort of father to Emma and though she's stopped calling me 'Unca Hiccup' in favour of just 'Hiccup', I really do love her and I want to be there as she grows up because she deserves it as much as you. But this time I'll be there from the beginning-and you won't have to go through it alone because I will be with you until we're old and grey and the kids will have to change our false teeth and help us on our walkers..."

"Really selling the dream, babe," she said dryly.

"What I'm trying to say, Milady, is that I am with you forever-if you want me," he promised her. "I love you and will never let you-or our child...children-down." She blinked and her face warmed with a sudden flicker of hope.

"P-promise?" she whispered. He dug his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small box, flipping it open to reveal a gleaming brilliant-cut diamond solitaire ring. He smiled as her eyes widened in total shock.

"Promise," he said. "I promise to love and adore and protect and be with you forever. And I really want marry you so you know I will never leave you. And I will protect you and our children-which includes Emma-forever." Astrid stared at the ring as he gently slid it onto her finger.

"Yes," she said. "Oh Freya, thank you. YES! I will marry you!" And she flung herself into a very passionate kiss. When they broke apart, they were both breathing hard and Hiccup's face was covered in a very goofy smile.

"Steady on," he said breathlessly. "I think that's why we're having this conversation in the first place!" She hummed in satisfaction, her confidence restored as she rested her head against his chest.

"Your fault of being such a fantastic kisser...and also a very good..."

"MOMMY! YOU'RE BACK!"

"Oh thank Thor," Hiccup breathed, blushing scarlet. "Saved by the small child."

"Why is Mommy crying?"

"You were saying?" Astrid murmured and he chuckled against her, his lips ghosting a kiss on her sun bright golden hair. "And you do realise, we don't have enough rooms for Junior, when he arrives?" He smiled.

"He could be a she," he replied softly as Emma repeated her question.

"Not a chance-all my symptoms are different this time," she smiled. "Has to be a boy."

"I wouldn't dare argue with your expertise, my love," he murmured. "But don't worry about accommodation. Did I tell you I own this entire street?"

oOo

One year later (again)

It was another brilliant sunny Berkian Spring Day and the apple blossom was white and pink on the trees as Hiccup Haddock stood anxiously outside the old Temple of Odin in a flattering dark grey suit, a teal blue tie slightly askew. The light breeze ruffled his tousled auburn hair and his emerald eyes were anxious. He adjusted his tie again.

"Stop fiddling' with it, laddie-or ye'll strangle yerself!" Gobber told him unhelpfully.

"Yeah, cuz-that would really annoy your wife-to-be and though she would be comforted by my total manly awesomeness, I think she might just kill us all for letting it happen," Snotlout commented. The stocky young man with his jet hair and blue eyes was wearing an identical grey suit to his cousin and Gobber, though it was straining across his powerful chest. Tuffnut came racing round the corner, his tie askew and leaves sticking out of his collar.

"She's coming! She's coming!" he shouted and raced straight past into the Temple, before racing back out again as he recalled he was supposed to be in the groom's party. The Priest walked out to stand by the floral arch set up on the lawn beside the Temple, seeing Hiccup pale with anxiety. His friends stood by him until the black Mercedes pulled up outside the Temple when they went back to their seats, aligned behind the floral arch. On the Bride's side, her mother had five and a half month old Finn Stoick Hofferson-Haddock nestled comfortably in her lap, his blue eyes and tufty auburn hair a perfect mix of his parents in one chunky, placid package. Behind her sat the entire staff of the Diner, and most of her school friends who had drifted back when the truth came out. Hiccup's side consisted of his cousin and family, Gobber, Sven, Bucket, Mulch, Tuffnut and Fishlegs, a colleague from his engineering course. Then the door opened and Astrid emerged.

Hiccup felt his breath literally stolen from his chest at her beauty. Her hair was braided off her smiling face, most flowing in a golden waterfall of loose waves over her shoulders. An ivory gown emphasised her slender figure, her only ornamentation a little necklace of turquoise beads and matching earrings that echoed the colour of her sparkling eyes. Her engagement ring gleamed on her left hand which rested on her father's, who was walking at her side, almost bursting with pride. Ruffnut-in a teal dress that matched Hiccup's tie-and Emma-in a smaller dress of teal with pink bows in her hair-emerged and the five year old walked solemnly forward, throwing handfuls of pink rose petals all the way up to the altar. She grinned at Hiccup, gave him a hug and high-fived him before going to sit by her grandmother.

Astrid smiled, her heart melting at the sight of Hiccup, standing there waiting for her with love literally glowing on his face. She longed to just rush to his side and kiss him senseless but she had planned this day with him and they had promised to do this properly. So she had lifted her head and walked elegantly beside her father, her hand resting on his arm while Ruffnut walked behind her, making gestures at her brother to sit down and stop tying Snotlout's shoelaces together. Astrid rolled her eyes and then she was at his side, her anxiety all gone as soon as she reached him while Anders Hofferson grinned proudly as he laid his only child's hand on Hiccup's, winked and backed away to sit by his wife and grandchildren.

"Are you okay?" Hiccup asked her in a low voice. She smiled.

"Yes," she realised. "Yes I am. You?"

His smile spoke volumes. "Couldn't be happier, Milady," he told her. "I'm marrying the girl of my dreams, the woman who has made me beyond happy and healed my broken heart. And I am looking forward to a long future with her and our family." She pecked a kiss on his cheek and her smile was radiant as she murmured her reply to him just as the Priest began to speak.

"And I am the happiest woman in Berk, my love-to be marrying my guy from the Diner."

The End.

Hope you enjoyed it!