Dragons: The New Chief

Chapter 48: The New Crib

Over the course of almost two months, everything went swift and smoothly, just as Astrid predicted. About three weeks after developing the plans for the remodel, Bucket and Mulch were able to collect the materials needed for the two extra rooms in the Haddock Household. Finn gladly accepted the couple when they had to move in, but it was longer than they expected. Chieftain duties kept getting the better of Hiccup, as they come first. He tried to spend as much time as he could on getting the house ready for Astrid and the baby, but with the temperatures warming up, there were things that needed to be done. Like making sure that when the snow melts, puddles of water didn't form on any machines around Berk as the night temperatures would likely still freeze the water, that and the twins were starting to act like themselves again.

Ruffnut did talk to Eret that day. She asked him to go on a flight, where they flew to the other side of Berk and relaxed for a while before she decided to bring up the subject.

"Eret?" She had asked sweetly, lying against his side.

"Yes love?" He replied as he stretched backwards against the tree they were settled by.

She sighed. "Do you...do you think our relationship is going maybe a little too fast?"

The man gazed to his left. "Do you?"

Ruff pursed her lips and twiddled her thumbs. "Yes..." She mumbled.

Eret chuckled and smirked as her wrapped an arm around Ruff's shoulders. "It's alright love. If you think I am going to fast, then I will slow down."

Ruff gazed back up at the man with wide eyes. "Really?"

He nodded. "Why wouldn't I? I love you, if that isn't too much to say."

Ruff snickered. "This is the part of i love, the 'I love you' part."

Eret leaned in and pressed his lips to her temple. "Then here we will stay until you are ready to move forward."

And that was it, Ruffnut and Eret slowed things down and weren't as 'sensual' as they used to be; they held hands and shared the odd kiss, but never went beyond that. They spent just a little less time together and more alone or hanging out with the group. Sometimes, even Eret got in on the plans of destruction the twins had planned.

Lucky for them, since finding out he was going to be a father, Hiccup had a much more lighthearted mood. He seemed more relaxed from day to day and his 'bad days', where he just seemed out of sorts and back in the glum of being chief and loosing his father, seemed to dissipate more so than they had already. Hiccup had totally involved himself in the preparations for the the arrival of his son or daughter.

So finally, with Astrid being almost four months along, Hiccup, Gobber, Bucket, Mulch and the other odd villagers that had helped got the remodeling finished. Astrid was gathering the last bits and bobs that she had brought to her uncles house for their stay as Hiccup had already brought everything else back to the house. The woman put the last of her things in the basket and sat on the edge of the bed, taking a much needed rest from standing.

She sighed and rubbed her still-tiny belly. "Daddy got your room all built now. All that's left is the cradle and some other furniture, but you won't need that stuff until you're older. Just the cradle right now." She crooned sweetly.

Suddenly, the sound of metal on wood, followed by a footstep, emitted from the door.

"Astrid?" Hiccup called. "Ready to go?"

The man made his appearance at the doorway. Astrid nodded with a smile. She stood and grabbed the basket, following Hiccup out the door. After thanking Astrid's uncle, the couple mounted their dragons and made their way home. As soon as Astrid climbed the steps, which was pretty quick because of her increasing curiosity at what the house looked like now, Hiccup ran up behind her and clamped his hands over her eyes.