Summer Kisses, Winter tears

Part 2 of 2

Chapter 2

The following day there was a knock on the apartment door just as Hiccup was putting the finishing touches on his Beef Bourguignon. The kids were roughhousing in the living room when Astrid walked to open it and greet their... 'guests'. "Zeph, Nuff, best behaviour," Astrid told the kids. She opened the door and greeted "Welcome..." Her greeting wasn't as enthusiastic as she'd liked and even though the kids were of the opinion that her estranged family might want to make amends, she was still paranoid.

"Astrid! It's so good to see you again," Her mother said cheerfully as if she hadn't been awful to her own daughter all those years ago. Astrid stepped aside and invited the group of four in.

Hiccup was drying his hands as he came to stand by Astrid's side as introductions were made. "This is my husband Hiccup," Astrid said before gesturing to the couch where the kids were watching the interaction with great interest. "And that's Zephyr and Nuffink,"

"It's so nice to meet you all," Astrid's stepfather announced as he shook Astrid and Hiccup's hands. His next comment was directed more at Hiccup. "You probably heard some things about Miriam already, but I'm Peter, my son Adam and his wife of five years Jessie." Astrid warily shook Adam's hand but since she knew nothing of Jessie she greeted her a bit more warmly.

"And how old are you two dearies?" Miriam asked while turning towards the kids.

"I'm nine," Zephyr answered and Nuffink who was still a bit shy answered "Seven," when elbowed by his sister.

"Aren't you two just the cutest," Miriam gushed which caused Astrid to raise a brow in shock. Her mother never... gushed... So to speak. She was usually all business and blunt.

Hiccup offered everyone a seat in the living room and then asked "Sooo... I have to know. How did you track down Astrid?" While Hiccup could be a teddy bear he was also protective of his family. Now he was worried as the stepbrother had known which hospital Astrid worked in.

"Social media of course silly," Miriam played it off. "It was actually Adam that found you in his friend's suggestions. I have to confess I was somewhat surprised to hear that you've married. On your social media profile, you kept your maiden name."

"All my degrees and documentation are in my maiden name. It would have been a hassle to have it all changed," Astrid just shrugged. "And Hiccup certainly didn't mind."

"Can I offer anyone tea? coffee? Alcohol?" Hiccup quickly asked as he noticed an edge in Astrid's tone.

Both Peter and Miriam declined though Jessie said "Some tea would be nice, thank you," Adam just nodded at his wife's decision.

"Okay, am I in the twilight zone or something?" Astrid asked with a frown as she stared at Adam. "Where is the cocky guy that went off to college?"

"I guess I just matured," Adam shrugged.

"Indeed he did," Miriam boasted. "Your brother now works as a bank manager. He and Jessie just bought a house close to us,"

"I see," Astrid said. She thought she was quite frankly looking at aliens when she stared at her estranged family. Her mother was bubbly, her stepfather wasn't bossy and Adam was mellow. It felt like she'd been thrown into the deep end of a pool without any floaties.

"What's your profession, Astrid?" Jessie asked with genuine curiosity.

"Mommy's the best nurse in Berk!" Zephyr proclaimed proudly just as Hiccup came back with a tray of tea. He poured some for Jessie and Adam. As Adam was adding some honey to his Astrid said "I'm a Staff nurse at Berk Regional Hospital right now. If all goes well I'll be a Registered Nurse in a couple of months after my NCLEX exam." here she looked pointedly at her mother. Miriam had the grace to not meet her eyes.